albertz benda is pleased to present Canal Street, Australian ceramicist and sculptor Jake Clark’s first solo exhibition with the gallery. On view from January 5th to February 4th, 2023, the exhibition will feature Clark’s signature vessels alongside a new body of ceramic sculptures that riff on the names and trademarks of landmark New York venues. Opening on the heels of his relocation to New York, this exhibition marks a significant moment in Clark’s artistic practice as the works presented are the last produced at his Melbourne studio.
Canal Street offers a fresh look at New York from the perspective of a native Australian as Clark retraces the fabric of the city’s cultural and epicurean landscape through whimsical, handcrafted sculptures and ceramic objects. In Carbone Veal Parm, for example, he features the crowd-favorite dish at this renowned NYC eatery, complete with the likeness of the restaurant’s plates painted on the inner rim of the vessel.
Clark’s handwrought sculptures harken back to his visits to the city and the many mementos he brought with him on his return home. Bold, colorful, and eccentric, this exhibition highlights the nostalgia associated with keepsakes and how they become part of our personal history.