London based silversmith and “delightful troublemaker” David Clarke is known for upending the traditions of the craft. His latest work sees him continuing his scheming, with curiously beautiful results. This latest series High Society, sees Clarke repeatedly dipping antique silver-plate items in a vat of molten wax. The added material builds up like a stalactite, creating bulbous, twisted forms that literally elevate the otherwise stuffy victorian wannabes. Through the process of electroforming, the wax is married to the object with a thick skin of copper, upon which a robust graphite finish is applied, resulting in a shadowy otherworldly presence, distorting the form while simultaneously accentuating the linear aspects of their shape.
David Clarke
High SocietyCandle 4 (pair), 2023
copper electroform over wax, silver plate, graphite finish
7.5 x 7.5 x 14.1 "
19 x 19 x 36 cm
each
19 x 19 x 36 cm
each
8507
