Artist Statement
Hi. I'm a Visual Artist from Melbourne, Australia, based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, in the USA. My art delves into human contradictions, often exploring current events through allegory and symbolism. Inspired by Street Culture and the cyclical nature of history, I create large oil paintings depicting scenes of gathered figures and portraits that draw from my life experiences and admiration for great old masters. While initially grounded in representationalism, my work has evolved into a unique style, blending realistic painterly brushwork with abstracted cuboid forms, echoing a revitalised spirit of Cubism.
Bio
Born in Australia, Wade grew up immersed in Melbourne's Skateboard and graffiti culture, playing a pivotal role in forming the city’s most notorious graffiti crews. In 1999, He earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Monash University, Majoring in Painting with High-Distinctions and was awarded "Most Prominent 3rd Year Painter." Following this recognition, in 2001, he completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Animation and Interactive Design at RMIT University, showcasing his final animated film, “The 5:19,” at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
In 2002, Wade relocated to Sydney, where he dedicated himself to full-time work as a commercial illustrator, animator, and artist until 2008 when he transitioned to Art Director and returned to Melbourne. From 2015, Wade continued work as a Creative Director in gaming, at which point he rekindled his passion for oil painting. In 2017, again Wade's mastery was recognised when his portrait of former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett earned the 'People’s Choice Award' for best painting at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery.
In 2018, Wade made a notable move to the United States to live in the City of Philadelphia, PA, Wade Presently, resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with his wife and four children, where he continues to Illustrate, Art Direct and hone his contemporary art practice. With exhibitions spanning major Australian cities and the United States, Wade’s work has graced prestigious venues like the National Gallery of Victoria and the Barnes Foundation and has found its place in collections at prominent Australian Universities such as RMIT and Monash, as well as many private collections throughout the globe.
Artist CV
Wade Gregory Clark
Born Melbourne, Australia. Lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida U.S.A.
Education
1996 Diploma of Visual Art (Painting), RMIT University, Melbourne VIC
1999 Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting), Monash University, Melbourne VIC
2001 Post Graduate Diploma in Animation & Interactive Media, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC
Exhibitions
2024 "The Takeover Art Show" Part Two, Billy Penn Studios, 1516 N 5th St Philadelphia PA, USA
2023 "The Takeover Art Show", Billy Penn Studios, 1516 N 5th St Philadelphia PA, USA
2020 "TRFE 2020" - TINY ROOM FOR ELEPHANTS FESTIVAL 2020, Cherry Street Pier, Philadelphia PA, USA
'RISE' an exhibition to benefit those impacted by the Australian Bush fires, Carriageworks, Sydney NSW, AUS
'Threefold', a Pop-Up Art Show, Group Exhibition, Gallery space:1903 S Carmac St, Philadelphia PA, USA
2019 'PORTRAITS', GEAS Celebrating the 10th year anniversary, Glen Eira City Council Gallery Annex, Caulfield VIC, AUS
'TIME' , Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
2018 Let's Connect Exhibition, Barnes Foundation, Group Exhibition, Philadelphia PA, USA
Just Looking, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
2017 Private Lives... Public Spaces, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
2016 Cityscape - Elsternwick, Glen Eira City Council Annex Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
Hidden Treasures, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition Caulfield VIC, AUS
2015 The Voice of the Artist, SCOPE Art Fair, See Me Booth (B27), Group ExhibitionMiami Beach, FL USA
Postcard Show, LINDEN NEW ART, Group Exhibition, St Kilda VIC, AUS
GEAS Members Exhibition, The Breslin Gallery, Group Exhibition Carnegie VIC, AUS
Views, Visions and Vistas, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
Marriott Art exhibition & Auction, Marriott House, Group Exhibition & Auction, McKinnon VIC, AUS
2014 'Belle Arti Prize', Chapman & Bailey Artspace, Group Exhibition, Abbotsford VIC, AUS
Postcard Show, Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts, Group Exhibition, St Kilda VIC, AUS
The World About Us, The Breslin Gallery, Group Exhibition, Carnegie VIC, AUS
'See & Feel The World...', Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
2013 Paint in the Park, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, GEAS Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
2009 Postcard Show, Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts, Group Exhibition, St Kilda VIC, AUS
2008 Ecstatic City, Chris Doyle's Multi-Media Project, National Gallery of Victoria / Melbourne International Arts Festival. VIC, AUS
2005 AIM 13, ACMI Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne VIC, AUS
2003 New Art On Show, The Art Scene Gallery, Group Exhibition, West Ryde NSW, AUS
Best of AIM at ACMI, ACMI Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne VIC, AUS
2002 MIFF - Melbourne International Film Festival, Grater Union, Melbourne VIC, AUS
BIFF - Brisbane International Film Festival, Exploratorium, Brisbane QLD, AUS
Eat Carpet, SBS Television - Eat Carpet, Melbourne, VIC, AUS
2001 Mode, Chapel Off Chapel Gallery, Group Exhibition, Prahran VIC, AUS
AIM Graduate Screening, Story Hall Auditorium RMIT, Melbourne VIC, AUS
2000 The Artary Show, Artary Gallery, Group Exhibition, Regent VIC, AUS
1999 The D block Show, Monash University, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
Midway - New art from Monash, Indigo Studios Gallery, Group Exhibition, Hartwell VIC, AUS
1998 On the Line, Monash University, Group Exhibition, Caulfield VIC, AUS
1995 Arts Show, Cottage Theatre, Swinburne SSC, Group Exhibition, Hawthorn VIC, AUS
Prizes / Awards
2019 2ed Place Peoples Choice Award (for best artwork), Presented by Rotary Club of Caulfield, Melbourne VIC, AUS
2017 1st Place Peoples Choice Award (for best artwork), Presented by Rotary Club of Caulfield, Melbourne VIC, AUS
1999 Prize awarded for most prominent 3rd-year painter, Presented by Monash University Melbourne VIC, AUS
1995 Highly Commended Certificate for Art, Swinburne Annual Art & Media Awards, Hawthorn VIC, AUS
Press
2015 Glen Eira News, A display of young talent, Volume 204, Page 8, May 2015.
2006 Inner West Courier, Archibald entrant goes around the twist, Sally Fleming, August 1 2006.
2002 Diamond Valley Leader, Debut at film festival - The 5:19, Natalie Birch, July 24 2002.
Publications
The Voice of the Artist Collection Book (SCOPE Art Show Miami 2015), William Etundi Jr, SeeMe Press, March 2016.
Sneak Attack – Catalogue, Sally Braunstein, Nothing Press House, June 2007.
Aktifmag – magazine covers, Kane Ludic, Aktif Publishing, Issue 7, July 2006 & Issue 3, September 2005.
Trash (Cover & Content) - Skateboarding Film, Directed by Eddie Martin, Fluid Productions, January 1999.
Inside out & back to front – magazine, Jenny Tang, The Press Gang, November 1995.
Art Talks & Mentoring
2015 Art Judge, Youth Art Expo, City of Glen Eira's Youth Leadership Team, South Caulfield VIC, AUS
Art Mentor, GEAS Mentoring Sessions, Glen Eira Artists Society, South Caulfield VIC, AUS
2014 Art Facilitator, CITYSCAPE - Art In the Urban Environment, Koornang Road - Carnegie VIC, AUS
Live painting on Stage, 'Portraits Alive' Finalist, FCA, Pullman hotel, St Kilda VIC, AUS
Painting Tutor, GEAS Mentoring Sessions, Glen Eira Artists Society, South Caulfield VIC, AUS
2013 Public Painting, Paint In the Park, Glen Eira Artists Society, South Caulfield VIC, AUS
2002 Life Drawing Instructor, Arts on Burgundy, Heidelberg VIC, AUS
Public Art Project - Muralist, The MCH Exchange Outreach & Mental Wellbeing Festival, Broadmeadows VIC, AUS
2000 Life Drawing Instructor, Arts on Burgundy, Heidelberg VIC, AUS
Travel
Extensive world travel and art research visiting major galleys in the Americas, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
Gallery highlights include; The Metropolitan Museum of art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Museo, MOMA, SOFA,
Nacional Del Prado, Musée Du Louvre & KHM (Kunsthistorisches Museum).
Collections
Amtek corp Art Collection, Amtek Corporation Pty Ltd, Melbourne VIC, AUS
Monash University Art Collection, Monash University, Caulfield VIC, AUS
The Centre for Animation & Interactive Media, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC, AUS
Private Collections in Melbourne, Sydney, London, Philadelphia, New York and Las Vegas.