Tony Clark: Unsculpted at Buxton Contemporary

Tony Clark is one of Australia’s most respected artists. Once a painter who focused more on straightforward landscapes, Clark’s body of work has shifted since the late ’80s. One enduring interest of his is depicting sculpture and sculptural relief through painting.

Now a major new exhibition, presented by The University of Melbourne at Buxton Contemporary, takes a broader look at more than four decades of his practice. Tony Clark: Unsculpted features over 100 pieces and is the biggest presentation of the artist’s work since 1998.

In a style that he describes as “punk classicism”, Clark’s body of work draws from different fields, interests and genres, such as art, architecture, theatre design and decorative arts. His work looks at reconfiguring these familiar themes to create a distinct visual language.

Highlights from the exhibition include the series Chinoiserie, Jasperware and Prix de Rome. Each explores the sculptural potential of painted forms. Subtle shading and modeling blur the line between 2D and 3D, which result in a process Clark calls “distancing the painting from painting”.

There are new collaborative projects too, such as a series of sculptures by Melbourne-based artist Joanne Ritson based on drawings from Clark’s sketches for Jasperware. Choreographer Shelley Lasica is presenting a solo performance, which is part of an ongoing collaboration with Clark that dates back at least a decade. A new overture by UK-based composer Kevin Flanagan has been composed for the exhibition. Students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music will perform at the launch.

Clark will deliver an artist talk in the gallery on Sunday November 10 at 2pm. Lasica’s performance is on Thursday November 14 at 6pm.

Buxton Contemporary is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free.

buxtoncontemporary.com