Biography

Jonathan Clarke was born in 1961 in Suffolk, UK, where he continues to work today. At the age of 16 he took up an apprenticeship with his father, the sculptor Geoffrey Clarke (RA), and he began exhibiting his own sculpture in the early 1980s.

Jonathan works in sand-cast aluminium, initially carving his sculpture in polystyrene. This method – pioneered by his father and mastered by Jonathan – relies on the destruction of the original mould as it is vaporised by molten aluminium. The result is an entirely unique, one-off sculpture.

Writing about Jonathan’s first solo show (Chappel Galleries, 1993), Galleries magazine noted his ‘line of inheritance from the masters of the century, from Gabo, through Moore, to Paolozzi.’ His style, whilst abstract and architectural, carries a great deal of emotional resonance, often taking inspiration from social, spiritual and mythological subject matter. Other influences that Jonathan cites include the sculptors Eduardo Chillida and Anthony Caro, as well as two-dimensional artists such as Robert Motherwell and Mark Rothko.

Jonathan has had a series of successful exhibitions over the years with regular shows at North House Gallery and Chappel Galleries (both in Essex), and Strand Gallery in Suffolk. He also has work exhibited abroad, most notably in Italy, Denmark and the US, and the Metropolitan Art Museum in Tokyo. Between 1989 and 1999, he was selected for the Royal Academy Summer Show seven times.

Jonathan Clarke’s renowned skill for creating monumental sculptures has attracted a number of prestigious commissions, including an 11-metre wall-mounted cross for Ely Cathedral (The Way Of Life, 2001), an eye-catching figure for the town of Colchester (Boudica, 1999) and a twelve-piece exhibit for Trinity Hall’s permanent collection in Cambridge (Twelve, 2006).

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Curriculum Vitae

Commissions

Sign, Queen Elizabeth’s school, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, 2015

The Greenfield Diptych, private commission, Gloucestershire, 2014

Impact, triptych, private commission, Cambridge, 2014

Aumbry, Chichester Cathedral, 2013

The Fall, private commission, Suffolk, 2013

Windrush III, private commission, Suffolk, 2012

Espalier, 5-6 St James’s Square London, 2011/14

Furnishings for Saint Richard’s Shrine, Chichester Cathedral, 2011

Ribs, Mersea Island, Essex, 2010

Flourish, private commission, Suffolk, 2009

Gateway, New Fetter Lane, London, 2008

Stair Enclosure, New Art Centre, Roche Court, Salisbury, 2008

Browsers, New Street Square, London, 2008

Outlook, private commission, Hampshire, 2007

Orangery, Long Road, Cambridge, 2006

Orator, private commission, London, 2006

Greeter, private commission, Essex, 2005

The Way Of Life, Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, 2001

Stations Of The Cross, Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire, 2000

Bird, Great Notley, Essex, 2000

Boudica, Colchester, 1999

Works in Public Collections

Ports Of Call, 1, 13, 15, Harlow Art Trust, Harlow, Essex

Pathfinder, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, Suffolk

Lifestyle, The Gateway Foundation, St. Louis, USA

Twelve, Trinity Hall College, Cambridge

Solo Exhibitions

New Work, North House Gallery, Manningtree, Essex, 2014

Making Time, North House Gallery, Manningtree, Essex, 2012

Colour Coded

  • Britten-Pears Foundation, Red House, Aldeburgh, 2008
  • Palazzo Ducale, Gubbio, Italy, 2008

Frames Of Reference

  • Trinity Hall, Cambridge, 2007
  • Dronninglund, Denmark, 2006
  • Frederiksvaerk, Denmark, 2006

Sea Legs, National Maritime Museum, Falmouth, Cornwall, 2005

Jonathan Clarke at Snape Maltings, Snape, Suffolk, 2005

Jonathan Clarke In Venice, Gallery La’ Rezzonico, Venice, 2004

Retrospective, Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury, Suffolk, 2001

Head On, Chappel Galleries, Essex, 2000

Selected Mixed Exhibitions

Chapel Place Gallery, Tunbridge Wells, 2015

Cambridge Contemporary Art, Cambridge, 1990-2000

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London, (89, 91, 92, 95, 96, 98, 99) 1989-99

Lena Boyle Fine Art, London, 1999

The Point, Wyton, Cambridgeshire, 1998

John Russell Gallery, Ipswich, 1998

Art for Offices, London, 1998

Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, 1997

The Art Gallery, Bury St. Edmunds, 1996

Palant House, Chichester, 1996

The Bruton St Gallery, London, 1996

Cleveland Bridge Gallery, Bath, 1992-93

Contemporary Arts Society, Art Market, London, 1991-93

Phoenix Gallery, Suffolk, 1981-89

Galerie Am Plats Eglisau, Zurich, 1982

Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh, 1981