Brian Clarke

Our association with a new client, a stained glass craftsman and restorer, has rekindled my interest in the artist Brian Clarke. I first came across his work whilst at art college in Bristol, way back in 19 something or other. Then, working principally in glass, there was a strong geometric quality to his art, with the cross motif a re-occuring theme in many pieces. I was amazed when recently visiting his website www.brianclarke.co.uk, at the shear volume of work he has produced since I 'lost touch'. Clarke has completed projects all over the world with many on a huge scale and for a range of different applications, mostly architectural in nature - all fantastic stuff.

Often commissioned to produce installations for contemporary buildings, the stained glass masterpieces create such a colourful and vibrant statement within their environments. They bring an extraordinary life and vitality to situations that without their inclusion, might be considered more ordinary.

Now working in a broader range of medium, including textiles and mosaics his work has even involved stage design. As a young art student, equally inspired by his paintings, Brian Clarke was someone who, together with illustrator Russell Mills and painter Robert Rauschenberg made a significant impact on my illustrations and experimentation with different media.

Clarke's more recent pieces have taken on a more organic, natural direction, no less impressive for that, he continues to evolve whilst remaining true to the style that first drew me to his work.

As a footnote I thought it worth including the fact that Brian Clarke enrolled at The North Devon College of Art and Design in 1970 where he went on to receive a first class distinction in Diploma in Art and Design.