Tony Clark’s sustained interest in the representation of sculpture and sculptural relief through painted form is on show in this multifaceted overview of over four decades of work.
Clark’s paintings borrow from histories of art, architecture, decorative arts and theatre design, with a style he describes as “punk classicism.” Notable series featured include Chinoiserie, Jasperware, and Prix de Rome, which draw from influences like the illusionistic paintings of Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna and Wedgwood porcelain relief patterns, exploring the capacity of painting to test the boundaries between genres and disciplines.
Tony Clark, Landscape (bronze relief), 1988, oil on canvas. Private collection, Melbourne. Photograph: Christian Capurro. Courtesy the artist and Buxton Contemporary, Melbourne
Buxton Contemporary
1 November 2024 to 31 May 2025
Melbourne
