About

In her work, Asiya Clarke playfully imagines the beginnings of creation, the emergence of the particular from a great undifferentiated mass. She photographs water, using the imagery as a basis for painting. She reinterprets this apparently random data, the distortions and reflections within the water, to find meanings and metaphors. The symmetry found in  reflections relates to the body, particularly the face, figuration appearing within abstraction, presenting a private gateway to a parallel reality.

Her life and work are informed by Sufism, the mystical aspect of Islam, that requires a temporary loss of ego, allowing an immersion in the universal. She is preoccupied with self transcendence and the desire to “gaze upon mystery”.

EDUCATION

2006 – 2008     Goldsmiths college, University of London – MFA Arts Practice 

2005 – 2006     University of Hertfordshire – PG Cert Business and digital skills for artists.

1972 – 1976     Michaelis School of Fine Art – Cape Town University BA Fine Art (Hons)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2021    ‘ From the Sublime to the Ridiculous’ – Departure Lounge Gallery, Luton

2017      ‘Cosmic Sigh’ – Departure Lounge Gallery, Luton

2013    ‘ Pareidolia’ – Departure Lounge Gallery, Luton

2004     ‘Containment’ – Margaret Harvey Gallery, St Albans

2001     ‘Wide Earth’ – Boxfield Gallery, Stevenage

1999     ‘Dust and Stardust’ – Tring Zoological Museum Gallery

AWARDS

2017     Funding from Luton Culture for solo exhibition at Storefront Gallery

2013     Artists Access to College scheme

2013     Funding from Luton Culture for solo exhibition at Departure Lounge, Luton

2003     Overall winner of St Albans Open Exhibition, awarded by University of Hertfordshire

2003     Grants for the Arts – Arts Council East: funding for solo exhibition.

1998      St Albans Open, (First Prize Winner) 

1994     The Art Show Alexandra Palace, London (Commendation)

1993      Hertfordshire Open Exhibition (awarded shared exhibition with three other winners)

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2019    ‘Seeds of Change’ – Irma Stern Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

2017-1993   Open Studios

2015    Connect’ – Luton Hat Factory, Art Masters’ – Truman Brewery, London

2015,14,13  ‘ Material Matters “1,2,3 – Art Works group  Apsley, Herts

2014     Artists Access to college – 4 artists – University of Bedfordshire, Luton

2011     St Albans Open

2009     St Albans Open

2008     Saatchi 4 New Sensations  – Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London

2008     ‘Art for Life’ Charity auction for ‘Safe Hands for Mothers’

2006    ‘ Blickachse Open Air Exhibition’: Worms, Germany

2005     ‘Sculptural Possibilities’: Cupola Gallery Sheffield

2003     ‘Containment’: The Place, Letchworth, Artworks group

2002     ‘Art, Age and Gender’: selected by the Foundation for Women’s Art at Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham, London. Exhibition toured.

https://departure-lounge.org.uk/Asiya-Clarke-FROM-THE-SUBLIME-TO-THE-RIDICULOUS

https://departure-lounge.org.uk/Asiya-Clarke-Cosmic-Sign-Die-Before-You-Die