Artists: Lucy Clarke
Clarke's practice is primarily concerned with our relationship to objects and the urgency in visually recording what will one day become obsolete. Her projects, taking the form of sculpture, film and installation relate to the obsessive notion of collecting. Clarke recombines a variety of low tech materials and explores the possibilities Inherent in materials with a history. Clarkes interest in obsolete cultural artifacts stems from their ambiguous status somewhere between clutter and relic. Vinyl records to this day are popular, durable, seductive and collectable despite widely available digital alternatives. They possess a disco sheen and slick immaculate appearance, and that evocative and distinct crackle as they stir into being.
Her practice has recently involved rethinking vinyl's high cultural status as relics, in acts that could be described as sacrilege to avid collectors. From cutting them in half on a band saw and guillotine to melting and bolting and willfully scratching them, Clarke explores the physical possibilities as surplus materials that equally, people cant seem to completely discard.
Current projects include decorating an Elephant sculpture for Elephant Parade 2010, using her unique tiled vinyl technique. EPIC the elephant will be on display in public space (exact location TBC) in London in May, June, July alongside over 200 of it's family for Elephant Parade 2010, an event that raises money and awareness about the charity Elephant family www.elephantfamily.org. or visit www.elephantparadelondon.org for UTM INFO
Clarke graduated from the School of Fine Arts, UWE, Bristol and developed her practice at UWE Spike Island studios following a foundation year at Abingdon college. Clarke now lives and works in Oxford.
