Frances Clarke

“Painting is an art, and art is not vague production, transitory and isolated, but a power which must be directed to the improvement and refinement of the human soul – to, in fact, the raising of the spiritual triangle.” Wassily Kandinsky

Frances Clarke is a contemporary visual artist working at the interface of art and science. The research-based practice employed by Frances extends across all elements of her latest projects, from painting to viewer participation and scientific enquiry. Her socially engaged practice stems from a belief in the innate interconnectivity of all things; human, non-human, animate and inanimate. Her work speaks to our social obligation, to our social contract with one another. Her insistence on the ethics of aesthetics creates a useful and powerful art with which to build a more equitable, creative and sustainable society. Frances’s work currently includes two interconnected strands: The Art and Wellbeing Project research and The Blue Pearl Installation, combining her interests in health, wellbeing and aesthetic experience. Read more

The Art and Wellbeing Project uses electrophotonic imaging (EPI) to explore the relationship between the painting and the viewer, and its wider implications for human connection. The Blue Pearl Installation will present the energetic imprints from hundreds of participants, constructing an environment in which universal interconnectivity is not only visually represented but – as their awareness of interconnectivity expands through repetition of the motif – is also experienced collectively in real time by each viewer and group of viewers within the space.

If you are an individual, community group or organisation and would like more information about how to take part in The Art and Wellbeing Project or The Blue Pearl Installation, please visit The Art and Wellbeing Project page. Read More

Frances Clarke

contemporary

visual artist

Frances Clarke seated in her studio beside a Bio-Well camera, laptop and books, with Blue Pearl paintings behind her

Frances Clarke’s painting practice sits at the meeting point of art and science. From the Blue Pearl paintings to new contemplative ways of experiencing them, enquiry shapes every stage of her creative work.As Above, So Below · New Thought-Forms

Frances is working at the interface of art and science. The research-based practice employed by Frances extends across all elements of her latest projects, from painting to viewer participation and scientific enquiry.

The Art and Wellbeing Project

Frances’s work currently includes two interconnected strands: The Art and Wellbeing Project research and The Blue Pearl Installation, combining her interests in health, wellbeing and aesthetic experience.

Art and Wellbeing Study No. 1: in participants’ words

This is a fascinating insight into how we are affected by our environment, in this case by art, and of how we are integrally connected with everything around us

Taking part in Frances’ project was a relaxing and therapeutic experience. I found it fascinating and enjoyed every aspect of it.

It was an interesting and enlightening experience and I was very interested in how technology is used to explore our energy fields. I very much appreciated the opportunity to participate, and the subsequent emailed report on my energy fields is excellent

Although I had some awareness of energy, seeing the impact of the art on my energy fields visually was interesting. It made me very aware of the interconnectedness of art and science and of ‘me’ within that.

I first learned about the Blue Pearl Project when Frances gave a talk at a local group I attended one evening. I was fascinated as Frances explained the science and technology of Electro Photonic Imagining so well I found it amazing. My curiosity increased as I learned about her research into the visual interaction of Art and the emotional connection with the observer and how this is measured. I was so intrigued that I volunteered to participate. The paintings appeared to have a consciousness that communicated with me at a very deep level, and the image appeared to move and change as I interacted with them. The experience has opened up a new dimension for me to the power of energy in paintings and how it can have such a healing and transformational effect on all aspects of our being. I am so grateful to have been a small part in this special project, my total perception of Art has changed, in the most enriching way, and I am excited to learn more. Thank you, Frances, for this wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to learning more and more and applying all I have learned from this experience

Very welcoming. Clear explanations. Engaging and interesting experience

This is a fascinating area of research and has the potential to extend our understanding of our relationship with our environment.

"Painting is an art, and art is not vague production, transitory and isolated, but a power which must be directed to the improvement and refinement of the human soul – to, in fact, the raising of the spiritual triangle."

Wassily Kandinsky