Drawing Exhibition, Collins Gallery, Glasgow 17th Jan. 2000
This exhibition contains mainly the large scale drawings I have made for various projects. It also contains sketch designs and photographs of some of the works in progress and completed windows.
In the last 10 years drawing has become a more important feature of my preparation for a project. Previously I made drawings only to establish the final composition of a window and to indicate where the major leadlines and some finer details. The rest of the work was undertaken directly on the glass. However, as my work has become more complex, I have found it important to go through an extended drawing phase allowing myself to become immersed in the theme and to allow the drawings to become works in their own right. I find that this process gives me a greater understanding of what the window should be.
In the last years I have begun producing the drawings on half scale. This maintains the amount of detail that can be included and allows the drawing to be made on a scale that is still manageable.
Many of the projects that can be seen in my web site are represented in the exhibition. The photograph above shows the drawing for the The Falklands Memorial Window Window which is the last project that I have completed. The drawing is approximately 8ft x 8ft.
Included also is the drawing of the recently completed Millennium Window for Glasgow Cathedral and the University of Strathclyde Bicentenary Windows and the Pibroch Windows for the Piping Centre in Glasgow.
These drawings have never before been exhibited and seldom even seen outside the setting of the studio where I make the windows so it will be intriguing for me to see the reaction to them. There are various possible other venues for this show at present but it is my intention to exhibit it again in Wiesbaden in Germany in early summer therefore holding the exhibition in the two cities I consider home.
Designs Drawings & Processes
John K Clark
Glasspainter
15th January - 12th Febrauary 2000
The Collin's Millennium programme opens with a unique exhibition which significantly, includes the Millennium Windows for Glasgow Cathedral.
John Clark a prolific glass painter, has over the years made a significant impact on the architecture of Glasgow, his native city. Through inspired commissioning, windows in the Café Gandolfi, Princes Square, Queen's Park Synagogue, The Barony at the University of Strathclyde, The Piping Centre, (bagpiping) and Glasgow Cathedral, have3 enriched our environment for posterity.
Little however, is ever revealed about the techniques and processes involved and this is a unique opportunity to examine the evolution of some of the most technically complex stained glass ever created.
John Clark is an outstanding draughtsman and his designs and half scale, intricate drawings reveal both his love of drawing and the comprehensive research invested in every project. In addition to works for Glasgow, are drawings for an ambitious series of panels for Amberg-Ammersricht in Germany, the Lockerbie Memorial Window Kippen, Coatbridge, Paisley Abbey, Rutherglen and Ledbury.
The marked contrast between the projects represented, reflects the artist's willingness to seek an innovative and sensitive solution to each individual brief. This is particularly apparent in the in a comparison between the figurative windows for the Beirut Hostages and the most recently completed seascape panels for the Falklands War Memorial.
The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue generously supported by the congregation of Queen's Park Synagogue, The Cultural Trust, University of Strathclyde, The Society of Friends of Glasgow Cathedral, the Scottish Arts Council, GLS Language Services and the Wilhelm Derix Studio, Germany.
Further information/press prints please contact Laura Hamilton, Curator, Collins Gallery, 22 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ.
Tel (#44) 0141 548 4145, fax 0141 542 4053
Email collinsgallery@strath.ac.uk
