The Whistler Contemporary Gallery's (WCG) next speaking event features artist John Clinton.
A Canadian sculptor, Clinton's approach is marked by abstraction, shape and form. Despite having received a measure of formal training in Toronto, he is largely self-taught with experience in various mediums. Regardless of what substance he deals with, he tends to draw inspiration from West Coast environments.
"I gravitate towards strong shapes and lines that occur in nature," Clinton explains. "From the sea is a cacophony of shapes and images. At one glance, you can see the fluid lines of a conch shell. At another, the shape that clams make in the sand from where they breathe. The textures can feel like tortoise shells or resemble whale skin.
"Throughout [my] work, you see long, fluid lines that have a calming effect like the ocean itself. Combined with strong—almost unsubtle—patinas, I want the shapes, lines and texture to challenge you not to notice."
Clinton formerly worked in advertising, publishing and public relations, and the narrative skills he developed in these fields is valuable for any artist to have. Beginning his exhibition career in 1985 as a wood carver, he later became proficient with papier mâché and the utilization of colour.
Next, Clinton attended bronze art classes at Central Tech. These experiences helped him acquire a bevy of figurative sculpting skills and the niche art of wax casting. In recent years he has focused on using wood and bronze.
'A sense of continuous motion'
If you look at one of Clinton's sculptures, you may notice it appears to freeze a moving object in time.
"I think movement in sculpture helps hold a viewer's interest. It makes one want to engage," he says. "For example, I found a piece of styrofoam in the ocean. It had a beautiful shape and texture from getting bashed around on the rocks. I wanted to create a dynamic bronze out of it without screwing up what attracted me to it in the first place."
Clinton then reveals he put a hole in the top of this particular piece. Its exterior is sharp and polished, but peer through the hole and you'll see a "hot, molten mess" not unlike choppy waves in a rough sea. The artist elaborates that making distinct outside and inside parts of a sculpture leads to "a sense of continuous motion."
That said, Clinton does not attempt to bottle any particular feeling in his creative method. He just hopes viewers feel something when they behold one of his pieces, and that said emotion might change over time.
"I collect art as well as make it, and I always ask myself, 'can I lie on the couch and stare at this over the next 10 years and see new things? Or [will it] remind me of something I want to be reminded of?'" he says.
One of the Torontonian's most personal projects is dubbed "Street Corner Serenade" and it was inspired by a unique moment in his daughter's life. She'd been busking in downtown Montreal when actor Cary Elwes (known best for portraying Westley in The Princess Bride) stopped by to listen.
After about 30 minutes, Elwes dropped a $20 bill in the young lady's guitar case and thanked her for making him smile.
"I wanted to capture that sense of wonderment and joy you have when you are unexpectedly entertained," remarks Clinton. "If this sculpture were to talk to you, it would say: 'Hey dude. Slow down and spend some time with us, we’re going to entertain you.'"
People who show up to Clinton's upcoming talk are likely to be entertained as well. It is to be held on Dec. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, involving both a meet-and-greet and a Q&A component. Reservations are required. Find out more at whistlerart.com/show/whistler-contemporary-gallery-john-clinton-in-whistler.
