A NEW exhibition, Dangerous Crocodile Snogging, by artist Matt Clarke opens at The Courtyard tomorrow.
The exhibition, the title of which is taken from the name of a climbing route in the Peak District, features paintings which have developed from Matt’s interest in natural forms and structures, from microscopic imagery and satellite photography of the earth, from the sky, the sea, the land, the figure.
Some of the works displayed are created directly from life, some from photographs, aiming to give as much freedom to the paint as possible and respond to what is happening on the surface as much as what is happening in the source material.
"Layers of chaotically applied paint are built up, then very fine brush work is used to give certain areas focus, or knock other areas back," says Matt. "It is this balance of order and chaos that is of great importance to me".
Clarke who has a degree in Fine Art painting, is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, and now lives in Hereford. His work has been shown at Loughborough University Gallery, Greenstage Gallery, Worcestershire (2014), Cupola Contemporary Art, Sheffield (2012), The Cube, Derby (2011) and the Wallner Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham (2008).
The exhibition in The Courtyard exhibition space on the top floor runs until Sunday, March 22, open 9am until late, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm. Entry is free.
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