WOAW Gallery is pleased to present the London-based artist Murray Clarke's first solo exhibition in Asia, "A Place I Know". The exhibition showcases Clarke's contemplation on the dichotomy of emotion between commercialization and mass consumption of fabric and clothing by exploring on depicting familiar fabric in realistic painting. Featuring 8 oil paintings that he created this year, "A Place I Know" will be on view from October 12 - December 2, 2023, at WOAW Gallery Singapore.
Each artwork exudes a magnetic quality, akin to vivid photography that beckons the audience to reach out and connect with the cherished object depicted. Whether it is the allure of a gracefully arranged, soft blanket on a chair or the comforting touch of knitted fabric, Clarke's artworks offer a glimpse into his personal experienes while simultaneously reflecting our own interactions with the comforting embrace of these objects.
The daylight that bathes his compositions and illuminates the essence of his paintings is pensive in nature, allowing us to contemplate the joy of simplicity. We are left to wander in the vast expanse of our own imaginations, forever tantalized by the mystery of what lies beyond the lives that have actually been intertwined in the paintings.
One striking aspect of Clarke's work is his deliberate duplication of images, creating a visual effect reminiscent of mass-produced advertising imagery. This approach challenges the traditional notion of painting as a unique and singular subject, pushing the boundaries of artistic reproduction. With each repetition, the images gradually depart from their figurative nature, prompting us to question the notion of authenticity and the evolving relationship between art and mass production.
Clarke's charisma lies in his ability to elevate the ordinary - and its hyperrealism gets us to experience his works more intensely and intimately. In "A Place I Know", Murray Clarke presents an innovative and introspective body of work that encourages viewers to delve into profound dialogue about the intersection of art, mass production, and the essence of visual representation.