Interview with Chris Clark

How do you define success?

Success to me is being able to help the next artist accomplish the same things that I have. I just want to take my art as far as it can go. To me, there are no limits.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Knowledge. If you want to be in this field or any field for that matter, pick up a book and learn about it. Learn as much as you can. Never stop learning. Experiment too. Don’t allow yourself to get stuck in a box. There are no limits to your creativity. Have fun and explore.

How do you cultivate your audience?

I cultivate my audience by being true to who I am. By telling my story I am also telling the stories of others. When people see my work, I want them to see their lives, history, experiences, loved ones, and culture. Social media has been a big help in reaching like-minded people. It has helped me find my tribe and helped my tribe find me.

What role do Black artists play in society?

I feel like the role of the Black artist is simply to tell our stories from our point of view. Too many times we allow others to control the narrative. The Black artist is an innovator. Our creativity influences the world. Our role is to tell our truth authentically and unapologetically. We are the biggest innovators and the biggest consumers. We consume, but we still don’t own much. At the very least we need to own our arts and our culture.

How can we grow and empower the Black art community?

We can grow and empower the Black art community firstly by creating more spaces for Black creatives to learn, create, and exhibit their work. For example, we need more studio spaces, galleries, and museums dedicated to our work. We need more opportunities. The more opportunities we have, the better the chances of getting our work out into the world. The more our work is seen, the more the next generations of Black artists know that they can. Representation matters.

What types of art and culture do you like to consume?

I love all types of art: music, visual arts, performance arts, poetry, literature, just everything. They all work together in a way. I love my Black culture and cultures from around the world such as the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and especially Africa.

Chris Clark, Pandemic Baby, 2020, Oil on Canvas

How do you seek out opportunities? 

I find a lot of opportunities via social media. There are also sites that I look at from time to time for opportunities like calls for artists and grants. Many times, opportunities are presented to me by people and organizations who have been introduced to my work on social media.

What’s your biggest barrier to being an artist? How do you address it?

The only obstacles are ourselves. We tend to hold ourselves back from being great mostly due to fear. For me, it’s learning when to say no to some things.

How have you developed your career?

I have developed my career by continuing to learn, having mentors, and seeking out opportunities that challenge me.

How do you work and how has your practice changed over time?

My practice has definitely changed over time. I’ve learned to manage my time better. I’ve also learned more about the mediums I work with and how to use them to my advantage. My only wish is that I had believed in myself sooner.

How does making art impact other parts of your life?

Art has impacted my life so much and in so many ways. I’m naturally a really reserved person and art has brought me out of my shell. I’m able to talk to new people about myself and my work with ease. Art has also allowed me to travel to places I probably wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. One of the biggest things is I’ve been able to meet and connect with great people from around the world. 

What do you like most about being an artist?

I just love to create. It’s a form of therapy, a way to release. I love that with my work, I’m not only able to connect with others, but I’m able to connect more to myself. It has taught me a lot about myself.