Kim Clarke

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Playing with a ball of mud (clay) when I was very young started it. From the beginning transforming clay has struck me as magical. Clay is my key to the secret garden, my way down the rabbit hole through the looking glass and out again. Over the years, that magical process has had its way with me, leading me from hobby to professional artist and ceramics teacher. Ceramics fills me with a sense of accomplishment and integrity and has proven a most amenable vehicle for translating inner vision to outer reality. But basically, I create my figures because I am compelled to!

I fashion my sculptures from the inside out influenced by the creations of contemporary artists Frida Kahlo, Tim Burton and Beatrice Woods. I work deliberately, consciously employing both traditional and innovative techniques. However, my subconscious is the undisputed project manager. The joy of this work elevates my imagination and provides many opportunities for happy accident and grace to influence the finished project.

My imagination drives me in the creation of figurative sculptures of a whimsical, out-of-this-world-existence. They go through a process of metamorphosis as they evolve from strictly human forms into the essence of the story they tell. I create my figures with high fire clay. Finishing them with colorful glazes, englobes, and underglazes bringing their images to life. I form my figures based on stories in my mind. My intention is for my patrons to be inspired to create their own tales.

 

GALLERY REPRESENTATION:  

Findings Gallery Lynchburg VA  

 Riverviews Art Space Lynchburg VA 

 Academy Center of the Arts Lynchburg VA 

 ElectricCoArt Bedford VA 

LinDor Arts, Roanoke, VA 

C’Ville Arts, Charlottesville, VA 

Ventura Pottery Gallery, Ventura, CA 

Taupe Gallery, North Wilkesboro, NC 

Mindfullnest Burbank, Santa Monica, CA 

Human Arts, Ojai, CA 

Kubiak Gallery, Douglas, MI 

A.I.R. Vallauris, France 

HUD Galleries, Ventura, CA 

Beatrice Wood Gallery, Ojai, CA 

FIDM Fashion Museum, Los Angeles, CA 

SOLO SHOWS: 

2022 Through the Looking Glass. EletricCoArt Bedford VA 

2019 Through the Garden, Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, VA 

2016 HUD Gallery and Studios,Ventura CA 

2013 Wild, Whimsical World, Studio 1317, Ventura CA 

2012 HUD Gallery and Studios, Ventura, CA 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS 

2022 November 18th All Media Show Crossroads Art Center (3ed Place for 3d) 

2022 National Juried Show Riverviews Artspace 

 2022 Staff Group Show Academy Center of the Arts Lynchburg VA 

2020 To Scale: Group Show, Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA  

2019 Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, VA 

2018 The Clown Show, Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA  

2016 Collaboration, Ventura County Government Center, Ventura, CA 

2015 Bicentennial Show, American Museum of Ceramic Arts, CA 

2015 Crazy Teapot, Galerie C k’OMSA, Vallauris, France 

2014 Hommage su Maitre, Vallauris, France 

2016 Small Art Objects A.I.R. Vallauris, France 

2011-2015 Ventura County Fair, Ventura, CA 

AWARDS/HONORS 

2018-2019 Lynchburg art show at EC Glass (On the Fence) 

2019 Handy Company at the Lynchburg Art Show 

2015 Ventura Country fair Honorable Mention 

2013 Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts 1st Place 

EMPLOYMENT 

Self-employed, Ceramics by Kim, Lynchburg, VA 

Pottery Teacher, Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, VA 

Pottery Teacher Bower Center, Bedford 

2006-2017 Head of Ceramic Department/ Instructor, Simi Valley Adult School, Ventura, CA 

2010-2017 Ceramics Teacher, Simi Valley and Ventura Parks and Rec, Ventura, CA 

1995-2014 CFO of Jumping Trout Incorporated, CA 

RESIDENCIES  

2012 A.I.R. Vallauris, France  

2011 Idyllwild Center for the Arts, Idyllwild, CA 

CURATORIAL 

2015 Solo Juror for Once Upon a Time, Ventura County Art Association, Ventura Government Center, CA 

EDUCATION: 

Ventura County School District BITSA Teaching Credential for the Arts 

Self-Taught through workshops with Lisa Clague, Debra Fritts, Patrick Hornlesy, Frank Mosserlla  

Glendale College, Los Angeles College, and Moorpark College