Frances Clarke: Artist Biography
Current Work and Research Focus
Frances Clarke’s practice centers on exploring the communicative potential of art within society. Her current body of work, The Blue Pearl Project, exemplifies this exploration through a synthesis of artistic creation and empirical investigation. The project, named after a visual phenomenon linked to meditation, highlights the significance of both the creative process and its tangible outcomes. The Blue Pearl Project comprises a series of non-objective paintings accompanied by research outcomes from a pilot study. This study examined the impact of Clarke’s work on 100 subjects using electro-photonic imaging (EPI), an experimental technology designed to capture the influence of visual art on the body’s electro-photonic emissions.
The project integrates Clarke’s paintings with EPI-generated images and data, with the goal of measuring the impact of individual aesthetic experiences. This integration aims to create what Clarke terms a “paraphysical map” illustrating a connective cycle of creativity.
Artistic Approach
Clarke’s recent paintings feature mandalas and convergent bands of color, intended to evoke personal and universal emotional responses. Heavily influenced by esoteric teachings, particularly Wassily Kandinsky’s writings on spirituality in art, and a Jungian interpretation of sacred geometry, each painting is constructed using intuitive symbolism correlated with the development of consciousness.
Clarke’s socially engaged practice stems from a core belief in the interconnectedness of human, non-human, animate, and inanimate entities. Her work directly addresses social obligations, asserting a commitment to the ethics of aesthetics as a means of cultivating impactful art conducive to building a more equitable and sustainable society.
Continued Research for 2025
In 2025, Clarke intends to expand The Blue Pearl Project to include a larger participant pool and new methodologies aimed at deepening the understanding of the relationship between art and well-being. Ongoing research includes larger-scale studies utilizing advanced technologies like Bio-well for a more nuanced analysis of energetic responses elicited by her visual art.
Conclusions from Previous Research
Previous studies have provided significant insights into the impact of visual art on well-being. Key conclusions include:
Clarke plans to present these findings throughout the year, engaging participants and the broader community in discussions about the research’s findings and implications. This continuous exploration will enhance academic discourse surrounding art and healing while fostering community engagement and raising awareness about the therapeutic potential of art in contemporary society.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions:
Group Exhibitions:
Presentations
Residencies
Research
Upcoming Exhibitions 2025