"Clark's paintings oscillate between hyperrealism and abstract. The hyperrealism is evident in his painting process; the abstract is manifested in the themes he addresses as well as the end result of his body of work, since the hugeness of the bottom of the sea is abstract. In the series Lights and Shadows - recent work by the artist - with profound mastery of painting techniques due to decades of experience, Clark tackles the "underwater passing of time" theme, a scenery so familiar to him. Instantly Monet's Water Lillies comes to mind and just like the French Impressionist artist from the 20th century captured the passing of time portraying on canvas the gardens of his home during each season, Clark portrays his underwater gardens at various times in the day. The result is a mixture of abstraction and impression, a unique seduction of our sight which leaves us with the same questions found in in the work of the German artist Gerard Richter: would it be "real abstraction” or “realism abstract”? In short, Clark’s work invites us to reflect on these questions."
Dudu Garcia
