Exploring the Industrial Humanity in Dave Clay's Work
“Adrift” by Dave Clay | Feb 2023 | 46" x 46" oil on panel
Among the countless creatives I've encountered over the years, there's a select few who, through the eloquence of their artistry and the intensity of their passion, just seem destined for their craft. Seattle-based artist Dave Clay, I believe, firmly belongs to this rare breed.
I’ve worked with oil paint myself, so I know how much of a fickle mistress the medium can be. So when I see Clay’s work, I can almost imagine his working environment. The air, heavy with the scent of linseed oil, bears witness to the creation of emotions captured in color and form. Like most artist ateliers, I can imagine it as a place where he transforms the silent musings of his mind into vivid, tangible expressions.
But I am digressing into fancy words for fanciness' sake, simply because I have a fascination with artists that can master the oil medium in the way Clay does. So, back to business.
I recently had the opportunity to exchange words with Clay, where I asked him about the evolution of his style, his inspirations, and his distinctive artistic process. So let’s dig in.
‘Untitled Figure Complex’ by Dave Clay | Mar 2023 | 36" x 48" oil on panel
On Inspiration: Industrial Landscapes and the Human Condition
From my perspective, Clay's inspiration is a heady mix of the figurative and the abstract, reality and fantasy, and introvertive and extrovertive. One can see his fascination with machinery, evident from his landscapes, and this remains a strong current in his work, weaving itself into the tonal choices of his figurative works.
"I feel the need to paint empathy for the human condition of our modern world. Who we are, where we live, our struggles and hopes and fears both personal and existential. It’s not sufficient to simply paint an unreal figure in some Renaissance ideal in shape and place. I am not painting an escape from reality. I want to portray us as we are today."
As with most artworks, Clay’s expression of our modern world always begins with a black slate. The empty canvas. To hear Clay explain it:
“a blank panel contains all the possibilities, all the beauty, and impact that could be, all my hopes. I am freest at that point. Hard decisions will come later, when my previous choices start to compete and impede and my fears and doubts start to surface.”
‘Connected’ by Dave Clay | Dec 2022 | 36" x 48" oil on panel
On Artistic Process: A Delicate Dance of Observation & Creation
I might be embellishing a little, but I understood Clay’s description of his artistic process of creating is an immersive, dynamic dance that begins with keen observation. He watches for the intricacies of body language, the minute shifts in expression, and the ebbs and flows of human emotion. He meticulously maps these onto his canvas, with guides, and that become intuitive brush strokes that act as directional indicators rather than final decisions.
“I always start with looking. I’m looking primarily for how the body language of the figure works with the composition. I want to express emotion and empathy, so I’m looking for compositions that imply a contemplative, ambiguous emotional state. Something for the viewer to interpret on their own.”
Next comes the intriguing phase of blending abstract elements into the human form. These figures, Clay explains, do not occupy physical spaces. They exist within our minds, exuding an atmosphere of thought, emotion, and experience that invites personal interpretation.
This initial process unfolds over a day or two. Afterward begins a period of thoughtful contemplation, of understanding the painting's narrative, and figuring out how to convey its emotional content. He uses a random orbital sander to obliterate and reshape, adding depth and texture. A piece can take days, weeks, or even months, undergoing continuous re-evaluation and adjustment.
On Meaning: Exploring the Existential Through the Human Figure
In Clay's figurative work, I believe it is possible to see a dialogue about who we are, where we are, and the complexities of our existence. Clay sites a kinship and inspiration with artist Mark Rothko, whose bold colorful abstract paintings were directly described by the artists as representing the fundamental nature of "human drama."
While admitting his work is dramatically visually different that Rothko’s, Clay aims to provoke the same empathy and emotional communication. His art provides a mirror for viewers to recognize and reflect on their shared human condition.
‘Diana, Seated III’ by Dave Clay | Aug 2022 | 36" x 62" oil on canvas
In his own words, the human figure, nude, is both dangerous and powerful, familiar yet alienated. Through his artwork, Clay provides an opportunity for us to connect with these aspects of our humanity, and to engage with the power and vulnerability inherent in our shared existence.
To conclude, let’s turn the fluff up to eleven.
To me, in the vast sphere of modern art, Dave Clay's work represents a kind of beacon of sincerity—a modern take on classical techniques and processes. Understanding is not buried deep within a fog of pretentious conceptual-ness. There is depth, but also recognition through the use of the human form as an entry point. And while it might not be the opinion of every observer, I believe his work is a testament to the power of the human form and how we connect it to emotion and existence itself.
