Joel Clark: On Reflection

Joel Clark uses vinyl to create surreal, dynamic art work with a hand-cut finish. Influenced by his love for anything automotive, Clark takes vehicle parts, doors and mirrors and produces complex, bold graphical sculptures. He had the idea of working with vinyl as a medium, ever since he first learnt the skill of hand-cutting stickers for racing cars, in his first job after school. After attending Art College followed by a career as a Creative in advertising for 17 years, it was just over a year ago he had the vision of how to finally utilise vinyl.

Clark’s work today has radically transformed since that breakthrough, he sees constant contrasts, where the works take on a ‘Surreal Pop Art Sculpture’ style. Each piece simply becomes a reflection of the world around us, inviting the viewer to create a narrative. Being vehicle parts, one can always ask: What was the car doing in that location?

The off cuts collection is in total contrast to the intricacy of the reflections pieces. Although every piece of vinyl has to be carefully selected and applied, Clark can express total creative freedom and the organic, abstract collages come as a result of this.