Interview with John Clement

Q: What is your inspiration?

A: Line, form, volume, process, family, music, the human figure, athletic movement, struggle, passion, thought, learning, failure, success, freedom, opportunity…

Q: What artists or movements do you see your work as being related to?

A: Having worked closely with artists such as Marc di Suvero and John Henry, I’d say my work leans towards Constructivism. However, the simplicity of the Minimalists and brevity in general is something that is constantly on my mind. The naturally occurring process of order out of chaos, fractal imagery and the golden spiral are also in the mix.

Q: Could you please describe your technique and process?

A: “Hands on, fully involved, emotional and physical.” It’s driven by the artistic process of trial and error. I am constantly working on numerous pieces in different scales.

Q: Do you have any upcoming projects?

A: I am working on three works on site at the Boscabel House in Garrison, NY, a site-specific work for the Adelphi University Sculpture Biennial, and a new body of work based on drawings, sketches, and small works completed over the last year or so.

Q: How did you first get involved in art?

A: Completely by chance. After I graduated college in 1992, I moved to New York to take a cartoon drawing class and to find my way. I learned to weld after working a part time night job in the tool room of SVA’s sculpture department. While there, I met and befriended sculptor Joel Perlman, who in turn introduced me to Mark di Suvero. Being a neophyte at that time, I had no idea who Mark was or really what sculpture even was. I began working for him and that really opened my eyes to the world around me and who I was meant to be.

Q: Who are your favorite artists?

A: Henry, di Suvero, Caro, Serra, Venet, Cavemen, Majakovsky, Perlman, Philip K. Dick, the Melvins, Myron Stout, David Allen Coe, Andrew Ginzel, Sarah Sze, Isaac Witkin, Willie Nelson, Sandy Calder.

Q: How has your body of work developed over the course of your career?

A: Although I still like/want/need to work daily and at a fast pace, my pieces have become more refined as I have learned how to communicate with the materials, pieces, and myself during the process of creating. 

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