Interview

Feb 15

Rich Clark

Rich Clark is a mixed-media artist and musician, currently living and working out of the UK. As a story-teller, Rich’s visual artworks combine elements of pop art, abstract painting, portraiture and figurative art. His bold, expressive style reflects his fearless approach to his work, and the fast-pace of his working practices.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I come from a family of painters - my dad, sister, cousin, and grandparents - but as a kid, I was more into football and BMX. Painting always seemed normal, but I wasn’t drawn to it until I discovered Life Drawing at 17. I took weekly classes, then attended the Berkshire School of Art, where Life Drawing was part of the curriculum. Around that time, my creativity shifted toward music. I started writing songs, gigging with my band, and became obsessed with being a pop star, eventually quitting art school to pursue it. I never became a pop star! But music remained central in my life. It still is. Life progressed - I met my soulmate Eva, we married, had kids, built a house, and built a happy life. But the need to express myself visually never left me – you know, it nagged, pestered, and moaned. I ignored it for bloody ages. But then in 2017, I finally listened, and re-started as a visual artist. I drew and I drew and I drew. Almost exclusively Life Drawing and figurative derivatives. And in 2023, I broke out from drawing and decided to teach myself how to work with paint. Obviously, I still have a long way to go!”

What inspires you?

“People, mostly. The human form tells a story - a glance, a gesture, a muscle under tension. Strength and posture reveal character and history. I also think of my subjects as characters in a broader narrative. A painting is just a snapshot of a bigger story - what happened before, what happens next? I’m fascinated by capturing that implied history and future in a single moment. I’m also really inspired by placing my work in a contemporary cultural setting, but that hasn’t really manifested itself yet.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I wouldn’t say there’s a ‘message’, no. You could be forgiven for thinking that there might be – I give my characters tattoos a lot. Often on the face or neck. But I’m trying to spark the viewer’s imagination with these, not prescribe what the character’s story might be. These tattoos are also a compositional hack, creating a visual entry point for the viewer. Don’t tell anyone though!”

How would you describe your work?

“Somewhere between Abstract Portraiture, Figurative Art, and Pop Art, if we need a label. I use symbolism to encourage storytelling in the viewer’s mind. I want to evoke emotion, suggest narratives, and create something visually striking. I also do aim for beauty - not just in a conventional ‘pretty’ sense, though there’s nothing wrong with that - but in a way that engages the imagination and makes the viewer linger. My work is colourful.”

Which artists influence you most?

“David Bowie - his artistic output was breathtaking. Also, storytellers like Aimee Mann and Springsteen. Visually though, I gravitate toward pop artists like Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Marjorie Stride. But I don’t fixate on artists; I tend to love something, obsess over it, absorb it, then completely forget who made it. Then I channel that energy into my own work. I’m not very geeky I’m afraid.”

“A painting is just a snapshot of a bigger story - what happened before, what happens next? I’m fascinated by capturing that implied history and future in a single moment.”

What is your creative process like?

“Chaotic, and really fast! I have to quickly flip my mindset between different phases while producing a piece of work – some stages are fast, wild and messy, and others need a more patient approach. At that point I need to stop, breathe, stand back, and tell myself ‘Ok Rich, it’s eyelash time!’ The hardest part for me, is waiting for the paint to dry so I can progress to the next stage. Sometimes, I just don’t.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Blimey, that’s a big question! People like nice things to look at. Cool things for the wall. Stuff that manifests who they are and want to be perceived by others. But there’s clearly a more important role than that. With AI here to stay, humanity will eventually wake up to the true value of creativity. Creating art and being creative generally – particularly at an early age – is going to be foundational in our society, as mundane and repetitive tasks slowly get taken over by AI. Schools need to become a breeding ground, not just for maths, but for future generations of super-creatives who will show us new ways of living, growing and flourishing, while the computers take care of the boring stuff. It’s going to be painful. Not everyone will flourish. But that’s always been the case – I failed everything at school. But art and creativity – far from being taken over by AI – will explode in importance over the next few decades. Our entire education system needs to completely change though; which is a little daunting!”