SAM CLIFT

How to make use of light at night

2012-02-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

I came across the work of the artist Adam Frelin recently. I wasn't specifically looking for it, as I was actually looking for a website entitled Wasted Spaces at the time and I was immediately hit by these powerful images on the homepage, completely forgetting for a moment why I was on their in the first place. Frelin's images are photographic stills taken of the installation White Lines. What I found so moving about these was his simplistic use of light and nature to create a scattered projection across a vast area of space. Because of the location and nocturnal setting the beam of light creates a dreamlike effect all around, almost making the surrounding area seem as artificial as the light itself. I love that quality in the images, and although it must have been a fantastic experience being in the environment at the time (I bet it was so silent you could have heard a pin drop) we are only left with these images as proof of its existence. Almost as if we are glimpsing into a dream.

Photograph or drawing - drawing or photo?

2012-01-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

Something I've been struggling with lately is the difference in quality and expression between the photographed image and that created by the drawn line. I only really use photographs for research, to help me gather and develop ideas and to help me think. The trouble is I'm finding that some of my photo's are actually coming out really well, and represent just about everything I am trying to achieve in my drawings.

The purpose of my drawings isn't to just recreate what is depicted in the photograph, but emphasize and enhance certain elements of it to suggest a narrative beyond what is captured in the original image. By using this medium I can physically breakdown or disrupt the image slightly, and using my style of drawing create a parallel yet fictional representation of it. Plus I can remove parts of the image which I don't think are needed.

The drawings I'm working on are part of series of studies which I plan to use as a stepping stone to making some larger, more experimental drawings at a later stage. So in a way, if the drawings are only preliminary to a finished product and part of a wider pool of ideas yet to be developed, would photograph's do just as good a job?

Any thoughts?

wanderings and ramblings

2011-12-04T02:37:00.001-08:00

Capturing light - or is it?

2011-11-18T13:41:00.001-08:00

I took a trip up to sheffield recently, and while I was there had the chance to view in panoramic style the changing conditions of the season. I find it really useful to make little research clips like this as helps me to think and reflect on situations I've been in and moments I've captured, that are sometime difficult to relive in a photograph.

Enjoy the clip, and I welcome any thoughts!

cleaning out the studio

2011-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

I've just spent an afternoon completely clearing out my work space. To be truthful I don't do it often enough and its surprising how cluttered the place can get when you get into a habit of leaving piles of paper, photocopies, exhibition leaflets etc etc all over the place! In the last year I've been lucky enough to carry my drawings around with me (as my works have been fairly small in size), picking up my pens whenever I've had some free time to do some sketching. Though I am planning to start creating some larger works in the near future, so I'm going to have to start knuckling down when it comes to spending a lot more time in the studio as my next few works will be far too big to get in my rucksack...

Affordable Art Fair ends with a bang

2011-10-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

From the 19-23rd October I had a number of my new drawings on show at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London. It was my first time showing at the fair, and being represented by cueB gallery (based in Brockley, London). It was a fantastic event, with literally thousands of potential buyers passing through the doors each day. I was fortunate to sell two drawings from my new series of work Horizon, 2011 and Sinking, 2011 which I am over the moon about as it was the first time the drawings had been seen by anyone beyond my front room, and will definitely spur me on to continue drawing!

Richard Stone at Tank Gallery

2011-10-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

Last week I popped along to one of my local exhibition spaces - Tank Gallery in Ladywell, London and saw a fantastic solo show by artist Richard Stone. I'd never previously heard of Stone's work, so it was a pleasure for me to have the chance to be absorbed by an artists work that resonates quite strongly with ideas I have touched on in previous years, as well as linking to some of my current drawings. I would try and summerise Stone's work but it would be too difficult and naive of me to break it into simple terms, as each piece of work is layered with varying emotions, contexts and historical pointers that it could take me some time! Take a quick peek at his website and form your own conclusions - http://www.richardstoneprojects.com/

Artist of the month

2011-10-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

I came across Axis' artist of the month in a recent newsletter, and was struck by the work of Gareth Kemp. I can really relate to his subject and chosen compositions at the moment as its something I am beginning to explore in my drawings. I love the way he is able to capture a stillness in the paintings, and a feeling that you could actually be standing in the place, and you as the viewer are seeing it through the artists' own eyes. Kemp's use of flat, bold colour works wonders in dividing up the canvas between what's real and what is an emphasis on blank space; a void that creates a sense of scale, illusion, mystery and grandeur which brings everything and nothing to the painting all at once.

A little framing...

2011-10-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

I've just bought some new frames to try and open up my drawings a little bit. Originally I was going to use the black frame, and as effective as it was in emphasizing my ideas and focus of each drawing, it was a little restrictive in size. The white frame makes such a difference in opening up the work, and the neutral colour really helps in drawing the viewer in and accentuating the detail in the drawings. Great success!

Francis Danby

2011-08-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

This is a painting which has really influenced the direction my work has taken over the past year. Titled 'The Upas or Poison Tree, in the island of Java' its a painting by Francis Danby, created midway through the 19th century. When I first came across it at the V&A in London, I was really struck by its scale and the artists attention to detail. Obviously replica images are never as high in quality and intensity in comparison to the original, so the image here doesn't really live up to it but I'm sure you can imagine...

What I really love is the way Danby creates a magnificent sense of scale in the height of the rocks, yet it still doesn't reach the ceiling of the canvas as the night sky overhangs is still present. The depth of tone hidden in the shadows creates a rich intensity which I can relate to, as the artist uses a minimal palette of colours to create a vast range of peaks and crevises, subtlely influenced by the light of the moon. Ironically, the religious connotations which are the core reasoning behind the paintings' creation and point for existence are lost on me, as the grandeur of the composition is so overpowering. But hey, we all take something away from every work we are influenced by, and if we didn't do that we wouldn't be making the work we make today...

Art Fair this October

2011-08-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

I've just received news that I will be exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea in London this year. Along with 6 other artists I will be represented by CueB gallery, who will also be showing there for the first time. I'm planning on showing the series of drawings I have been working on throughout 2011, so it will be really useful and constructive for me to have them displayed together for the first time, and in front of such a large audience too!

Serco Illustration Prize: River Thames review

2011-06-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've recently put a review together of the above exhibition which was on show at the London Transport Museum in the last month. It's been a little while since I've put together a piece of critical writing, though it feels good to spread my wings again!

You can read the review at the following link:- Illustration Prize

'Forgotten'

2011-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

A slight adjustment to my website...

2011-05-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Something I never thought would happen, has happened - my website name has been stolen! Unfortunately for one reason or another I missed my opportunity to renew my licence before it expired, though personally I never thought I would ever need to rush to keep hold of my name, as it isn't exactly a common one. How wrong I was! So, sadly, the next time you visit www.samclift.com your web page won't be greeted with the delights of my work, but instead with a ridiculous consumer website attempting to specialise in computer software while having absolutely no purpose for using my name...

Fortunately for me all my content has not been lost, it is still on the server which I initially stores it on. So from now on, I shall be removing all previous links to this site, and will shortly be registering a new name for the website. Until this happens, my blog site will be my most up to date online source for my work.

Watch this space!

A little visit to the National Gallery

2011-05-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

I popped along to see An American Experiment the other day to view the work of George Bellows and the Ashcan painters, who previously I had known very little about. It was quite a small showing of paintings, depicting various environmental scenes and figurative works in early 20th century suburban Manhattan. I was really drawn to the two paintings below, both for their attention to detail and for their raw yet sensitive approach to the composition.

George Bellows - blue snow-the battery 1910

George Bellows - Excavation at night 1908

My website is online again!

2011-03-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

After much tweaking, alterating, and adjusting, my website is officially back online!

I've now sectioned off my work into various 'projects' which helps me connect work with a particular focus or theme. Previously the work was split depending on the media used - I thought this was a bit inconsistent as some of the work is very experimental and the media was changing frequently so it made sense to bring works with a similar focus together. I've also added new works as a part of these projects - which initially I didn't think were 'strong' enough - but now I feel they add a consistency and a depth which help give projects a sense of perspective.

There are many more tiny features that have been added here and there, which only those that have visited my website before will spot. And to those that haven't, enjoy!

2011-02-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Now my commission is almost completed, I've been able to put some thought back into my ongoing project of exploring the drama of light. I've recently dropped on some frames which bring out the sense of feeling and atmosphere which the drawings are trying to convey. Sometimes there can be too much focus on making the work itself, and actually 'presenting' it is put on the back foot, yet framing can be crucial in expressing the work in its most effective form.

I'm getting there!

2011-01-21T05:59:00.000-08:00

New Commission

2010-12-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

I've been commissioned recently to create a 20-part drawing of a single image of my choice. My first thought's on it drew me to Hockney's photomontages of the Grand Canyon, which I was first aquainted with at University. Though my variation is not as immediate as that of photography, as drawing out each individual 'frame' takes a little more time and patience. I made an early decision not to divert too much from my current project of exploring spacial atmosphere's, so I decided on something quite loose so I could explore the connecting process of each frame. Below are some snapshots of my process so far. I'm sure the final image will appear in its own time...

My yellow duvet

2010-10-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

I was having a play around with the camera on my phone the other day, and this is what I came up with. The limitations of the camera when filming make it tricky to capture fluid movement at high quality, though I think the sketchiness of it is intriguing.

More studies of light & shadows..

2010-10-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Two 5 star exhibitions in one day

2010-10-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

I keep saying to myself that I should post to my blog more often, so here I am.

After recently viewing 2 fantastic solo exhibitions which are currently on show - Tatiana Trouve at South London Gallery & Sinta Werner at Nettie Horn - I've reinforced my beliefs that installation art is the most gratifying form of expression in the arts. It really can absorb a mindifeld of ideas and intentions, digest it, then throw it back out again in one neat little package for which the viewer must unpick, piece by piece.

Werner's ingeniously simple approach to manipulating the size/scale of the gallery itself through a lick of paint and some cunning perspective was a fascinating experience. Trouve's large scale mixed-media drawings of urban decay seem deeply rooted in experimental practice, yet have a strong spacial dominance which bring a sense of timlessness to the composition, which in turn compliment the sculptural pieces. DEFINATELY worth a viewing! There's plenty of food for thought for my own practice anyway..

See an interview/film clip of the exhibition here: Tatiana Trouve

Short observations of light

2010-09-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

I've started to make some short film clips whenever I see glimpses of light which are sometimes overlooked. I find recording these really useful as a research tool as they capture the atmosphere and essence of the moment more honestly than a photograph could, and I can go back to them again and again. Nothing beats first hand experience, but a clip is the next best thing.

Click on the links below to see the clips..

The bottle

Reflections

New focus

2010-09-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

As a way of unpicking my spatial/spacial explorations, I've made a decision over the last couple of months to focus on one aspect which has been a big attribute to my installations. The dramatical effects of light. I've started to observe, with the drawings below, the different atmospheric effects it can have within a confined space. Something I cannot overlook is the way this is presented in the mark-making, the more I apply the 'chiaroscuro' technique, the stronger the theatrics. I applied this to the sketch in blue below, which I think works well.

I've become inspired by early 20th Century horror films in pursuing this new direction. Not for their story lines (though I am a fan) but for their strong reliance on heavy lighting. Where this will lead I'm still unsure, but expect more sketches to come..

The focus on light

2010-09-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

I have a Studio!

2010-07-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time coming, but after completing my degree 2 years ago I now have my first studio that I can call my own. Its not much, half a room to be exact, but its tucked away deep in the heart of my flat and it will do just nicely. So now I have no excuses (installations permitting) to sacrifice making the work I would like to for lack of space!

Even more..

2010-06-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Influences, influences...

2010-06-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a clip of what were quite tranquil reflections on the carpet, captured through the sunlight and the shadows. It has some strong connections to both my last animation 'rhythm' and my current one I'm still working on. May the inspiration continue!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKHVcAN0Dgk

Post-It Doodlings

2010-05-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

I'm one of the fortunate ones at the moment who goes to work and actually has time to do their 'own thing' while still being at work. We have millions of post it notes, and it wasn't long before my hand began to search out a pen and tune in my hand to the paper. The drawings below are what I like to call split second ideas. They're glimpses into elements of my practice, as if someone is able to freeze frame my mind for a millisecond to see how my thoughts travel. Some might say they are autonomous. I only spend up to 5 minutes on one piece, so there really isn't room for anymore than one thought per post it. I'm intrigued to see where this might lead..

Animation no.2

2010-05-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

Well it seems like a while since I updated you all with my meanderings through life. Since my first animation (rhythm), I've begun to reflect on its success, in terms of what I wanted to achieve from it. I was over the moon with the stop motion process, though it was tedious putting together each individual frame pixel by pixel.. The movement throughout was paced enough for it to develop without it becoming too slow and willing it on to finish, which was great. I quite like the silence of it too, it creates a bit of tension. Often sound can give away hints as the direction, and also casts a mood to it which can make or break a short film. So I'm going to stick with the silence for now.

My next one will use a slightly different approach, coming from more of a film related background. Its still in its early phases, so the photo below is just a snippet of what will later become moving image.

the finished article

2010-03-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

So, I recently added the finishing touches to my pixel animation (though I still can't decide if its finished yet!), and even managed to exhibit it to the public too. Its been great to make that decision to stop editing, take a step back and really absorb and analyse it from afar though. As I worked on each segment individually, it was a very slow, meticulous process of construction, abit like wearing a pair of goggles to walk down the street in (quite difficult to see things properly). The feedback so far has been great, giving me plenty of food for thought on my next steps. Take a look at the link below, give it a little click..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVIRwvc0n2U

2010-02-07T07:03:00.001-08:00

Progress is what its all about

2010-02-06T04:42:00.000-08:00

I'm currently planning for an exhibition i'm involved with in March, so all the playful experimenting i've been doing over the last few months is going to get a bit of an airing.. It feels give to give it a focus, its easy to drift along when there isn't a specific goal at the end. Having the work exhibited will give it a context and a reason, something i always seek.

No images this time round, though i have just bought a 12.2 megapixel digital camera, so i should be able to take some nice crisp photo's very soon. I'm looking forward to that..

I've been updating my new artist/teacher blog quite frantically of late, almost every week! as i spend more time teaching than anything else recently, its where i get the most inspiration!

Lots and lots of teeny tiny bits of progress..

2010-01-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

No pics this time round, as i've been really busy making lots of progress in multiple areas i have had the chance to take any new snaps. The textile balls are still well under way. They're beginning to transform into a strange organic netting type of creature, though its still quite abstract. I've realised it will only 'reveal itself' once i can actually situate it in a space, so it can cling on to the walls.

My pixel animation is still in progress too. I'm finding the repetative process of designing each frame a bit tedeous at the moment, and maybe its that that's made me focus more on my writing recently. I've began a new blog which follows my artist/teacher practice, and how they each feed into each other. You can visit this here: http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/592467

More from me soon!

Paint

2009-12-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Randomly got the idea on the train the other day to start drawing on Paint. It never crossed my mind before to 'go digital' so its another string to my experimental bow.. This image is only a basic outline, it will look much different once finished. I'm using lots of dots at the moment, which will be gradually worked up to create a textured finish.

More to come soon...

Lots of new mad experiments in the dark hours

2009-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've been pursuing a new line of interest recently. As I'm full time teaching at the moment, it doesn't give me much free time left to push some of my big ideas, so I've began to have lots of fun experimenting with materials! It's acting as a kind of release from all the stresses of the course, which is handy. Its also nice to not feel the pressure of trying to push an idea too much, but just play around and see what happens. Lot's of fabric balls are being put together at the moment, gathered and cut from old socks/scarfs/shirts, that sort of thing. These have begun to mould together into a huge net or web. It's interesting working without a pre-planned idea for a change, as the experiments are constantly evolving, almost with a mind of their own! I'm not sure what it will turn out like - though I'm sure it'll show its face soon...

Raindance

2009-10-31T03:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample shot from 'Raindance' mentioned below (more shots can be seen on my website www.samclift.com). This is the first piece where the viewer/participant is completely absorbed into the vortex style aura of the installation, passing through a door at either side they get a sense of the atmosphere which 'raindance' gives off.

I had some really warm and encouraging comments about it at its debut at the Crypt Gallery. Many nicknamed it 'flying carpets' and thought it was quite theatrical, which i found quite an interesting take on it.

The title comes from a character i saw played in a film earlier in the year. He took himself so seriously and had a strong ego and thought he was never wrong about anything, yet the rest of the world thought he was a joke and a loser. He couldn't see it. It wasn't until a series of events happened in his life that he saw life from the other side of the fence. 'Raindance' was a phrase used in the film which for me summarised that point.

A sneak peek at raindance..

2009-09-01T12:12:00.001-07:00

Here's a little glimpse of some segments of 'raindance' before it was completed, which is currently on show at the Crypt Gallery, London in 'Surface/Space/Time.' I haven't delved into my sculpture work for a while, so it was amazing to get my hands dirty again and start playing around with some ideas i've had brimming for a while!

2009-08-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

The opening of my 2 week co-curated exhibition with Eve Wheate - 'Surface/Space/Time' at the Crypt Gallery began last night!

It was a great success and hugely popular, thanks to all those that came along and made it a night to remember. It was great to see all the exhibiting artists their in support of their work and each other, it really makes these things worthwhile. This is the 1st independently curated exhibition by myself and Eve, the 2nd one will follow next year!

I managed to set up my installation in time also, which is a new piece i've been working on over the last year. Lots of drawings, rough sketches and long walks away with my thoughts have helped me to finalise my ideas, and really hone in on what i'm trying to achieve. Its a new process of working for me, as its alot slower but more thoroughly worked out, though its much more effective in reaching the end goal. Because of this i began the making process with a fairly strong idea of what i wanted to achieve, so my time was used more effectively, and the pressure to have the work finished and set up in time for the show was eased!

Great Success

2009-07-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

Firstly, thanks to everyone who supported, assisted & visited my recent solo exhibition at 491 Gallery, London.

What a great show! It was a good opportunity for me to try out some new ideas, as well as put into practice all the different curating & marketing skills i've learnt within the last year. Unfortunately my installation piece wasn't finished in time for the show, so i had to improvise and accomodate with the work i had with the space. I was really pleased with the overall look of the show, and had a very positive response to the exhibition.

I'm currently working on an article for Nottingham Visual Arts on the theme of 'Is there an audience for contemporary art?' I will be observing & interacting with various artists & curators, analysing various trends and approaches to promotion and establishing a course of direction within the arts, and how this is sustained. I will draw comparisons from the art scene in Nottingham to that of East London, as there are various similarities between the two.

I've also recently confirmed a place at Goldsmiths University of London to start in Sept '09, so i'm busy preparing for that too.

Ahh the life of an artist, its all go!

The curtains are almost up!

2009-06-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

My show is almost here, only a week to go until the set up begins!

My installation won't be finished in time, so the curtains will go up with that in my later show in august. The show will be a great chance for me to see alot of new drawing work within a gallery context; it'll be a great experience to gain feedback on them too, as the world is yet to see them!

I've really been enjoying my drawing recently, i've found it very theraputic and a great tool for progressing with ideas. As my installation has been taking longer to complete its been great to fuel my ideas and energy into other directions, keeping my flair and passion alive.

I'll look forward to seeing you all there at the show!

Visualise....

2009-05-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Due to a lack of material supplies, i've been producing a lot of concept sketches recently for my current installation, and poential future work. The more i delve into my mind tank the more i realise how dominant an influence colour and space are on a sculptural installation being successful!

These elements are now crucial to my practice, the work could not exist in its capacity if they weren't confronted in some form.

Lots of new developments in the world of me

2009-04-30T04:21:00.000-07:00

No pics today i'm afraid, though there will be more on their way very soon.

I've been busy promoting my work recently through press relations on my work and upcoming exhibitions, so i haven't had much time to develop my installation recently. I was also interviewd on film about what i'm currently working on, which was quite a nerve racking experience! Though it does come across very professional, so that's the main thing. This will be added to my website in the next week.

I've just been aquainted with Twitter, so i now have a profile on there too which i'll be regularly updating. All this online marketing and promotion us artists have to do just to get known! At least its available, i wonder what artists did 100 years ago! I guess they just existed..

Now back to the installation.. I'm in the process of advertising for more material supplies, so as soon as i get more, the work will grow and flourish again. Until then, you'll have to be content with the last images i uploaded, or.. take a browse at my website, click the link at the bottom of this page...

Stacks

2009-04-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

The stacks have started to take shape, an unbelieveable amount of material has gone in to these, and their still only 4ft high! (Only 3ft more to go) Each piece has been hand cut from old strips of carpet, and positioned in a tower formation. In the end there will be 2 of these, positioned across from each other to create a void in the central area. This void will be intensified by the placement of singular tiles of paint-coated material, floating in rhythmic formation around the chosen site.

From previous works which explored the wall space of a site, this piece interacts with the atmospheric space contained within the site itself. The break away from the wall creates more freedom for fluidity and movement, as well as heightening interaction. Confrontation with the viewer will be imminent; previous works were placed at a glance, sustained within a chosen space, though now the piece has no base, its structure is exposed, allowing for it to be positioned at will.

The start of something new

2009-03-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

Yes that is a pink piece of carpet with a cut out section where a toilet used to be! But this will be transformed; into something magical and magnificent that will intrigue and captivate you more than you could ever imagine...

CURATING AN EXHIBITION

2009-03-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, welcome to my 1st post!
I recently curated my first exhibition at Surface Gallery, Nottingham. The show consisted of 13 artists, all their work as diverse in media as it could possibly get!
Though there was so much work involved, I loved every minute of the experience from start to finish. I never realised curating could be so intimate; connecting with the artists and the work on a level which was completely beyond any experience i've ever felt on first seeing an exhibition for the first time.

I recommend it to any emerging artist who wants to develop skills and understand the inner workings of an exhibition. May the curating continue!

Ckeck out the gallery website for more pics:-

http://www.surfacegallery.org/

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