Our Silver City at the Nottingham Contemporary - a-n The Artists Information Company

Venue: Nottingham Contemporary
Location: East Midlands

Went to this opening last night. What seems initially like an overblown Primary School project given too much money develops as you go through the Galleries reading the chronology into an interesting story peppered with Relics as Art. Creating modern day Relics is part of my own marcusclarkeart arts practice as are textiles. And I create a new Men’s Jacket for each of my own art exhibition which, with the Silver City in question being hometown Nottingham, meant there was lots to engage me at least. The New Religion ideas combined with Craft revival avoided being Dan Brown and deserve further exploration as do the many films on display but as an initial visit it was interesting and the Gallery Attendant and Bar Staff friendly and informing. I’ll gradually go back and dig deeper. A luxury a local resident can afford. I don’t know yet if this is great international art or if many local artists got any work, commissions, cash out of it, which would be nice but the focus on our City told in Story fashion could be very engaging if the explanation is pitched and disseminated well with perhaps a Primary School project interlinked. #nottingham #contemporary #art #review #relic #silvercity #silver #city #exhibition #artist #local #mountain #man #mountainman

marcus clarke

“My life’s work in puppetry, children’s television and art creation has all been about connecting with the inner child”. When Marcus Clarke was 14 yrs of age his Step Father worked the night shift at the local Raleigh bicycle factory and his mother was a cleaner in a Care Home. He is Neurodivergent, ADHD. A Cancer Survivor described by DDA. Care Experienced 6 yrs. Including in two National Children's Homes. See the Observer Newspaper Article. Review section about Care Experienced Achievers in which he says, “I decided early on that whatever happened to me, I wasn’t going to be a victims of it”. With regard to his art he says “I use Puppets, Puppet Making materials, tools and glues from my world of work as a Professional Puppet Maker. Puppetry performance objectives, skills and talents from my work as a Professional Puppeteer. Observations from my work as a Backstage Theatre Technician from 1974 to today and I combine these with my Fine Art skills and knowledge. Added to since my teenage years as an art student at Mansfield College of Art. I use canvases, paints and drawing materials. I include found objects, puppets, toys, photo's, antiquities. Jewelry and junk to create imaginative, aesthetic and entertaining art. Sometimes as Paintings, Collages, Assemblages, Films and Installations. My art is not particularly Academic or Analytical. I’ve previously explored the space between the street light and the kerb. Nowadays it's my own self expression drawing on my own life’s experiences and curiosity's. Informed by those of my audiences. By Culture, History, Performance, Theatre and other Artistes and Artists including Duchamp, Degas, August Sander, Gerard Garouste. I want my artwork to inspire people of all ages to be creative, to make art about what they know or don't. Drawing on their world of work, their lives, dreams. I want to encourage Teenagers who don't feel suited to read-write Higher Education, for whatever reason, to seek out other creative learning opportunities. Professional work, outlets and careers in the arts". Marcus’s day job is as a Back Stage Theatre Technician. Roady. A job he first did in local Nottingham Theatres while a schoolboy at 16 yrs of age.