In Conversation: Clinton King on "Moonshine"

By Natasha Tai
2024
From March 25 to April 24, 2024, WOAW Gallery Central presents American artist Clinton King’s solo exhibition “Moonshine”, a series of artworks that showcase different junctures in the abstract painter’s artistic practice and highlight pivotal moments in his journey. Embodying both his earlier endeavors as well as fresh explorations, the exhibition invites visitors to examine each unique mark King makes on his canvas as he continues to strive toward discovering new and unforeseen territories. 
 
Clinton King in his studio (image courtesy of the artist) 
 
Throughout the different stages of his practice, King finds influence from various visual artists, such as German painter Gerhard Richter and Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger, and holds a deep respect for outsider artists like Adolf Wölfli and Martin Ramirez. But despite the many changes in his artistic approach, King’s works have always revolved around the sensory qualities of painting. Fascinated by the amount of detail a single brushstroke can convey, King’s abstract works have always reflected his instinctive approach to painting. Every single mark he places on his canvas emphasizes the natural weight and form of his brush, all varying subtly in form, as he slowly but surely follows his continuous desire for experimentation.

Clinton King, In the sun's shadow, 2023.

 

“The mark itself is significant,” said King, “My goal is to meet the process halfway, merging my desire to create a good mark with what the painting requires.” 
 
“When I paint, I strive to empty my mind completely. Each mark becomes its own experience, independent of any preconceived thoughts or feelings. That being said, executing a good mark brings a sense of satisfaction.”
 Clinton King, Feedback cascade, 2023.
 

Feedback cascade (2023) serves as one of the most transformative works in King’s journey of mark-making, taking over several months to produce. A painting that stands at a towering 201 cm, the canvas is covered in kaleidoscopic brushwork, forming an endless abyss of sharp colors and decisive marks. The painting initially began as a single practice exercise, where he simply began applying the same mark onto a blank canvas with no intention of preserving them. Again and again, he repeated this process of reproducing and layering his marks, populating the canvas with his brushwork, even adding additional strokes alongside the original. “It wasn’t until the composition was over 60% complete that I began to discern the emerging pattern,” King stated. 


On the other hand, working on smaller canvases has allowed King to further develop his practice. Featured amongst the larger works are Golden Dawn (2023) and Early Patterns (2023), two 51 x 41cm paintings featuring bold and striking lines that capture the interplay of his brushstrokes. “Working randomly on multiple smaller works helps me free my energy, often leading to discovering new techniques and compositions,” said King, “Their smaller stature and easily movable nature allows them to be painted over many times, resulting in layers of complexity that build up quickly.”
Clinton King, Golden Dawn, 2023.
 

However, Wet Clout (2023) is King’s favorite work in “Moonshine”. Featuring a muted color palette, its unassuming nature allows it to effortlessly flourish amongst his other paintings, the brushwork exuding a more dynamic energy that rivals many of his larger works. Its weight and motion is a quality King strives to replicate, with varying degrees of success, in subsequent works. 

 

“The most memorable experiences are those where the paintings seem to create themselves, almost magically,” he added, a remark on the almost intuitive nature of his brushwork. “It is a testament to the power of spontaneity and beauty that emerges from seemingly mundane moments.”

 

The works displayed in “Moonshine” were selected by King based on the relationship between the canvases and the viewing space, but more importantly the visual conversation each work has with each other. The more subtle appearance of Wet Clout allows it to serve as an intermediary between his larger pieces, but whether there is cohesion between each work is for the viewer to decide. “Sometimes there’s a surplus of cohesion, while other times it may feel lacking. However, I can only speak for myself in this regard,” said King.

 

Installation shot of "Moonshine" at WOAW Gallery Central

 

Having previously been in Hong Kong, King returns to the city with his first exhibition with WOAW Gallery, marking a new stage in his artistic journey. “Working with WOAW Gallery has been an incredibly positive experience,” he said. “The level of hospitality and generosity was overwhelming, and I’m excited to see the potential for significant growth and change in the future with WOAW.”

 

“I was particularly impressed by the vibrancy and energy of Art Basel and the city’s overall enthusiasm for art. WOAW, in particular, seems to be driving the local scene to new heights,” he added.