The Circle 1968

Ed Clark made this painting, The Circle, with paint of some kind, and on a circular support – maybe board, or shaped canvas, who knows? What strikes me most is the layered horizon of colour, with these draggy marks above. I love how Ed Clark fearlessly put down colours that are kind of clunky, but somehow floaty, too. There’s a definite horizon line, so you can’t help but imagine a landscape. The paint isn’t too thick, but it's definitely got a texture, a kind of drag. Look at how he’s letting the white ground breathe through the colours, especially in that white area at the bottom. And then BAM! - these pink and yellow bars. They have this off-kilter quality, like things aren't quite lining up. And those splatters at the top? They are like a controlled accident, a burst of energy. For me, Clark's work is reminiscent of someone like Joan Mitchell. They both have this painterly touch that feels at once spontaneous and considered. Art is always a conversation across time. It is ambiguous, emotional, and open to interpretation.