Works of Awkwardness

Seek the joy from sorrow and enlightenment from anguish.

I need unique in a world of mass production.

Too few things we own are precious.

Life is the incomprehensible balance of contradictions.

Works to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed

Porcelain Clay

The clay body is the foundation. I use a New Zealand made Porcelain body that provides an exquisite whiteness.

Crystal Glazes

Each work is finished with a crystal glaze. This glaze has a personality of its own and never ceases to surprise me.

Hand Built

Works of Awkwardness are unique. Each piece is fashioned by hand from a lump of clay. The figures develop and take on their own life as they are made.

Containment

Enclosing the characters reflects the way we are ourselves constricted, yet protected. These wooden boxes which are made from recycled Totara hang on the wall.

The Person

Jon Clarke. Art teacher, artist, father, sculptor, teacher. Born in the UK, studied in London, lived globally.

The Place

My studio is in the Manawatu in New Zealand. A quiet, green land that provides space to think and plan and ponder.

The Inspiration

"I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don't like to arrange things. If I stand in front of something, instead of arranging it, I arrange myself." Dianne Arbus.

The Satisfaction

Ceramics is a wonderful medium. I can take a lump of cold clay and manipulate it into a something that is special and unique. That is a wonderful feeling.