New and Old Marks

December 1- January 16,
(By Appointment Only after December 12. Contact Matt Bullis at 406.396.6346)

Opening Reception:  Thursday, December 4, 5-7pm

UC Gallery
University Center Rm.227
(2nd Floor, Northwest corner)
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243.4991
info@ucgallery.com

The University of Montana and the University Center Gallery would like to inform the general public and artistic community at large of the upcoming exhibition by Oregon-based artist Ian Clark. The show is titled New and Old Marks and will feature photographic, sculptural, and mixed media works. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, December 4, from 5-7pm.

Clark’s recent works explore themes of textural, cultural, and environmental decay.
The artist reveals a very close attention to detail, creating beautiful images that make strong use of color and (in his photographs) a very narrow depth of field.  Clark is visibly attracted to texture and abstraction, which he explores through a unique, minimalist aesthetic.

Artist Statement

These recent works explore themes of physical, cultural, and environmental decay. My photographs commonly reference instances where some form of linearity integrates with the natural realm.  This relationship is both fascinating and beautiful to me, often revealing tragedy that is becoming increasingly invisible.

New and old paper, mediums, and color and textural qualities make up this body of work.  An old mind collected images according to her artistic interests; herein I have arranged them into a new context.  My late grandmother and I both shared an interest in mark making, design, and painterly qualities- but appreciated different artistic movements from one another.  New marks have been created where process alters the original intention of an image- affecting the context and previous meaning.  Old content becomes new content.

My work is aimed more at creating a feeling within the viewer than providing discernable imagery.  Cultural decay and America’s current economic and political standing influence my process.   Our collective obsession with celebrity is nauseating to me and also contributes to my interest in recreating dilapidated colors and textures.

You can view more of Clark’s work at:
www.incproductions.org