About/CV
My work often acts as a receptacle for other people's associations and thoughts. I am more curious in hearing what people feel my art means or represents than stating what it means to me. This conversation that happens with the viewer and my work is a primary interest of mine.
The process of making my work is intuitive and playful. Color, shapes, the application of various materials such as dyes, plaster, metal, wood, acrylics, and wire are the tools I use to create an object that may come with associations differing from person to person. These materials are chosen for how they can be manipulated in some way or because they function by complimenting or contrasting with other materials and forms. The forms are sometimes suggestive of functional objects, memories, or what some people might see in their dreams.
My early design inspiration came from the patterns and complexities in electrical substations and common shapes, materials, and patterns found in everyday objects. Today my inspiration comes from lying awake at night and not being able to sleep… and then thinking; Oh, yeah, that would be cool to try. Repetition and order, as well as the materials, textures, and unpredictability are the things that drive my work. To counter-balance the potential of sterility and sameness, one can find a sense of humor and playfulness in various pieces. I want my pieces to age, as people do, left raw and unsealed.
As someone once said… “Dave's unique creations, both in 2D and 3D, evoke narratives, contemplation, and pure joy. Rather than dictating a single meaning, Dave delights in the diverse interpretations viewers find. The 2D artworks merge colors, shapes, and symbols in a dance of spontaneity, while the 3D pieces seamlessly blend functionality and sculpture. Join us to explore Dave's world of artistic experimentation and creation, where imagination knows no bounds.”
Image by Tony Pinto
Lives and works in Long Beach, CA
A good 40 years ago, Dave Clark was making tables and wall constructions, which led to numerous shows, as well as representation of his tables through design centers in both Miami, FL and Laguna Beach, CA. He drifted away from his art once he became an Educator, shifting his energy to meeting the needs of his students and other artistic interests (he also has been publishing a magazine dealing with high-end audio for the past 25 years). Since retiring in 2016, he has returned to his art.
And while he has not had any formal education in Art or Design - he did have an art class in Middle School and classes in Drafting and Architecture in High School - he does have degrees in Psychology and Sociology, as well as advanced degrees in Education.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/daveclarkdesigns
Instagram: www.instagram.com/daverclark55
Inquiries - daverclark55@gmail.com
I do accept PayPal and Venmo
Solo Exhibitions
2023 - Mantel and Monarch Gallery. Long Beach, CA
2018 - Curated by Vinny Picardi and Monica Fleming. Loiter Galleries. Long Beach, CA
2017 - Stateside Crafts. Long Beach, CA
1982 - Q-VO, Q-VO. Inland Empire Art Gallery. Riverside, CA
1980 - Pop Schemes. Inland Empire Art Gallery. Riverside, CA
Selected Group Shows
2024 - This is Not a Pipe: What is Reality? Long Beach Creative Group. LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery. Long Beach, CA
2024 - Covet Art Gallery. The No Theme, Theme Show. Curated by Laurie King. Oceanside, CA
2024 - L.A. Open. TAG, The Artists’ Galley. Curated by Kristine Shoemaker. Los Angeles, CA
2023 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour at the Creative Group. Long Beach, CA
2023 - Ghost Shadows. ShockBoxx Gallery. Hermosa Beach, CA
2023 - Tiny Terrors. Dark Art Emporium. Long Beach, CA.
2023 - Pop Surrealism. Long Beach Creative Group. LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery. Long Beach, CA
2023 - Unlovable. ShockBoxx Gallery. Hermosa Beach, CA
2022 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour. Long Beach, CA
2022 - Sofa King Abstract. ShockBoxx Gallery. Hermosa Beach, CA
2022 - Not an Art Fair. ShockBoxx Gallery. Hermosa Beach, CA
2022 - El Corazon. Gallery Azul. Curated by Cora Ramirez. San Pedro, CA
2022 - Regulated Garbage. ShockBoxx Gallery. Hermosa Beach, CA
2022 - Fresh. Art Clout/Long Beach Creative Group. LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery. Curated by Art Clout LB. Long Beach, CA
2022 - Connect/Collaborate – A Group Exhibition. Shoe Box Projects.
2022 - Trash, Dark Art Emporium. Curated by Jeremy Schott and Jeremy Cross. Long Beach, CA
2021 - Small Works 2, Page Against the Machine. Curated by Stephanie Han. Long Beach, CA
2021 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour. Long Beach, CA
2021 - Textured II, Envision Arts Online Gallery.
2021 - Shoebox Projects at High Beams. Curated by Kristine Schomaker. Torrance Art Museum, CA
2021 - Color is Your World. Santa Clarita, CA
2020 - Small Works, Page Against the Machine. Curated by Stephanie Han. Long Beach, CA
2020 - Covid-19 Creativity, Huntington Beach Arts Center, CA
2020 - ONYX II, Envision Arts. Honorable Mention
2020 - Visions of Shape and Form. The Long Beach Creative Group. Long Beach, CA
2020 - We Are Here/Here We Are. Durden and Ray presents We Are Here / Here We Are, a Los Angeles County-wide exhibition of nearly 100 artists that explores our innate desire for connectivity through sensation. LA County
2019 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour. Long Beach, CA
2019 - The Long Beach Creative Group. Long Beach, CA
2019 - Loiter Galleries. Long Beach, CA
2019 - Repeating Fragments. Curated by Ed Gomez and Brian Thomas Jones. Durden and Ray. Los Angeles, CA
2018 - Hellada Gallery. Long Beach, CA
2018 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour. Long Beach, CA
2018 - Art in a New Place. Art Exchange and the Venice Institute of Contemporary Art (ViCA). Curated from the ViCA 2017 catalog by Ron Nelson, Director of the Long Beach Museum of Art and Art Exchange board member. Long Beach, CA
2017 - Long Beach Open Studio Tour. Long Beach, CA
2017 - Art in Place. Newberry Lofts, Group Show. Jurors: Venice Institute of Contemporary Art. Long Beach, CA
2017 - 18 x 18 - 18 Tables, 18 Artists. MADE by Millworks. Curator and Table Constructions: Dave Clark. Long Beach, CA
2017 - Edison Building. Juror: Renee Tanner. Long Beach, CA
1983 - San Bernardino Valley College, partnered show with Mick Gronek. San Bernardino, CA
1983 - Traction Gallery. Los Angeles, CA
1981 - Inland Empire Art Gallery. Riverside, CA
1979 - Inland Empire Art Gallery. Riverside, CA
Selected Bibliography
In the Studio with Dave Clark Shoebox Art
Unknown author, ViCA Catalog. Venice Institute of Contemporary Art. 2017, Los Angeles, CA
Dimitri Raydoce, Highlander Newspaper. Interview and feature article. 1980, UC Riverside, Riverside, CA
Past Representation
1984-1986 Design Center South (furniture to the trade only). Laguna Beach, CA and Miami Beach, FL
1983-1985 Anne Goldman (wall constructions). Marina del Rey, CA
Images by Michael Jude (the good ones) or the artist (the not so good ones)