“My art is both a reflection of and a reaction to my society. Through the act of painting, I aim to create striking pieces of art that provoke debate, thought, and emotion. Painting has always been the most natural way for me to express myself.” – Jordan Clarke
Jordan Clarke currently maintains a studio in the Case Goods Warehouse in Toronto’s Distillery District . Most recently, Jordan received funding from The Ontario Arts Council. In 2008, she studied at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, completing the Drawing curriculum in 2009. In 2007, she graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design, receiving a BFA, majoring in Drawing and Painting. While attending OCAD, she was fortunate enough to participate in the off-campus studies program in Florence, Italy, 2005-2006.
Jordan’s upbringing has had a significant influence on her art practice. Her culturally diverse heritage is certainly evident throughout her work. Jordan’s mixed-race background has provided a distinctive and sensitive perspective on issues of identity and agency, such as the role colour plays in shaping one’s identity, society’s classification of cultural/racial groups, and the limitations of stereotypes and/or pre-determined gender or racial roles.
Jordan has been working professionally as an artist for approximately five years.
*Find me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METXnRJQn4w
Artist Statement
“There is a radiance that can emerge from faces and bodies, making them truly beautiful” Naomi Wolf
It is this inner radiance that I aim to convey. Working in oil paints I use the female form to explore themes of self and identity as well as notions of inner beauty.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2008 – 2009 Academy of Realist Art (Canada)
2007 BFA Ontario College of Art & Design, Major in Drawing and Painting (Canada)
2005-06 Ontario College of Art & Design Off-Campus Studies (Florence, Italy)
Juried Exhibitions
2011 LOOK.AT.ME Art Show: in conjunction with the play “Da Kink in My Hair” written by Trey Anthony. Enwave Theatre, Toronto Ontario: August 11 – 28
2009 Junction Arts Festival. Academy of Realist Art. Toronto, Ontario: September 9 – 13
2007 African Roots: Celebrating Black Heritage. Gallery Streetsville, Mississauga, Ontario: February 15 - March 22
Solo Exhibitions
2011 “Something In-between”. Hang Man Gallery – Artists’ Network of Riverdale. 756 Queen St. East Toronto Ontario: September 6 – 25
2010 “Mask” Series: Recent Paintings by Jordan Clarke. 588 Markham Street,
Studio 7. Toronto, Ontario: July 9 – 11
Group Exhibitions
2008 Mask. Association of African Canadian Artists. Metro Centre. Toronto, Ontario
2007 Silent Auction: Shimmy-a-thon. Naditu Belly Dance. Toronto. Ontario
2007 Silent Auction: “The Passion of Winnie” Gala. Ensemble Noir/Musica Noir. Toronto, Ontario
2007 Tour de Force: OCAD Graduate Exhibition. OCAD, Toronto, Ontario
2007 OCAD Figurative Exhibition. OCAD, Toronto, Ontario
2007 Black Heritage Celebration Exhibition. Canada Revenue Agency, Mississauga, Ontario
2006 Whodunit?. OCAD, Toronto, Ontario
2006 Summer Send Off. Naditu Belly Dance Studio, Toronto, Ontario
2006 Those who go, those who stay. OCAD Student Gallery, Florence, Italy
2005 The 23 Show. OCAD Student Gallery, Florence, Italy
Grants
2011 Ontario Arts Council. Visual Artists: Emerging Grant
Commissions
2007 & 05 Tabuli Restaurant. Toronto, Ontario
2004 Naditu Belly Dance Studio. Toronto, Ontario
Publications
2011 Interview by Mixed-me with Rema Tavares. http://www.mixed-me.ca
2010 Other Tongues: Mixed-Race Women Speak Out edited by Adebe DeRango-Adem and Andrea Thompson. Anthology of poetry and visual art. Two of my paintings are part of this collection.
2010 A Many-Splendored Thing poems by Peter Austin. Cover image art.
Personal
1984 Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada