Toni Clarke has been painting for many years and exhibiting her work since 2008 at the Melbourne Art Fair and M2 Gallery in Sydney. She completed studies at the highly regarded Byron Bay School of Arts in 2017.
When Robin Gibson discovered her work Clarke was invited to show at his Darlinghurst gallery. Trickles Like Honey is now showing in his beautiful space until March 10.
Initially, Clarke’s work charms us with its naïveté, luminosity, and its sense of warmth and play.
Look closer and the surety of her composition, her colour sense and the way paint seems to obey her every brushstroke reveals a far more sophisticated talent than an ability to paint pretty pictures. This is her vocation!
Outside looking in, I see the joy her work brings, and the constancy of care and love she offers back.
Clarke’s art is with her thick and thin, day in day out, in sickness and health, yes, a marriage of sorts. Read the excerpt from her artist statement below and you’ll see what I mean.
“The genesis for this body of work was seeing the world change. I watched us all retreat into our homes, making ourselves more remote. I had often looked out over the landscape in awe, however, this period allowed me to delve deeper into the valleys of my home.
“The repetition of going back to the waterfall each day to draw, created a fascination in the way nature is transformed. Light plays upon its surface; a metamorphosis of greens, blues, pinks and oranges, in turn creating shape and form.
“The garden has become a playground for me, changing each day with the time and the seasons.”
When I ask her about future aims and goals there is no hesitation. “To fall into the rhythm of the day, to discover as I go, to feel the spell of creation, to play alone, paint like no one is watching, feeling the freedom and the excitement of a new work coming … to paint for ever!”
Trickles Like Honey
Robin Gibson Gallery
278 Liverpool St Darlinghurst
Until March 10
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art@ssh.com.au
