In this insightful interview, renowned sculptor John Clinton opens up about the ideas, inspirations, and processes that breathe life into his captivating bronze and reclaimed material sculptures. With a unique ability to convey motion and depth within static forms, Clinton draws from the organic beauty of nature and the quiet energy of found objects to create pieces that resonate with viewers on deeply personal levels. His work delves into the dynamic relationships between the outer facades we present to the world and the inner landscapes we keep hidden, inviting viewers to explore these dualities within themselves. Here, Clinton shares his thoughts on capturing movement in stillness, the textures and forms that shape his vision, and the stories woven into each of his works.
Check Out John's Works HERE
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Your sculptures seem to capture movement frozen in time. How do you channel that energy into a still medium?
I think movement in Sculpture helps hold a viewers interest. It makes one want to engage. In ocean for example I wanted I found a piece of styrofoam in the ocean. It had a beautiful shape and texture to it from getting bashed around on the rocks. I wanted to create a dynamic bronze out of it without screwing up what attracted me to it in the first place. I had the idea to put a hole in it towards the top. I gave it the shape you see in many logs coming out of log booms. Once i had the hole I became intrigued with the piece having an inside and an outside, not unlike a person. The outside is highly polished and elegant looking representing the face we all put on to the outside world. Looking through the hole you see the inside hot molten mess that we all are in the inside. Seen another way not unlike the choppy waters we see in the ocean every day. By having an inside and an outside you create a sense of continuous motion.
What emotions or stories do you hope people feel when they encounter one of your sculptures in person?
I’m not sure I look for a specific emotion. What I really want is for someone to feel something. I don't care if you see a seal in Seal or whales tale in Bird, but i do care that it takes you someplace. The at may be a calm place or that may be a reflective place but i do want you to be transported somewhere. I collect art as well as make it, and I always ask myself “can i lie on the couch and stare at this over the next 10 years and see new things, or make me feel something or remind me of something I want to be reminded of. When I did a commission called “thistle tower” i had three kids diving off the diving tower meant to always remind you of the joys of summer. I also put two feet sticking out of the water that had nothing to do with the action on the tower but it served as something a viewer might notice on the 10th or 20th time viewing, that might put a smile on their face.
Is there a natural element or form that continually finds its way into your sculptures? What draws you to it?
I gravitate towards strong shapes and lines that naturally occur in nature. From the Sea is a cacophony of shapes and images. At one glance you can see the fluid lines of a conch shell. At another the shape that clams make in the sand from where they breathe. The textures can feel like tortoise shell or resemble whale skin. Yet the whole piece has been described as looking like a snail or a big shell. Throughout the work you see long fluid lines that have a calming effect like theocean itself. Combined with strong almost unsubtle patinas, I want the shapes, Lines and texture to challenge you not to notice.
If one of your sculptures could come to life for a moment, what do you imagine it would do or say?
Street Corner Serenade was inspired by the buskers you see singing on the corner, or in the subway, or in a town square in a visiting city. My daughter busks and she told me the story of busking in downtown Montreal and Cary Elwes sat down and watched her. After a half an hour or so got up, popped a $20 in her guitar case adn thanked her for putting a smile on his face. I wanted to capture that sense of wonderment and joy you have when you are unexpectedly entertained. If this sculpture were to talk to you it would say. “Hey dude. Slow down and spend some time with us, we’re going to entertain you”
How does the texture and form of your materials guide you as you sculpt? Do they ever surprise you?
Texture and form always guide me. Working in bronze or reclaimed plywood I am always thinking about shape, line and texture. Leaf from my “found objects” series is a great example. I found a triangular shaped piece of broken styrofoam in the ocean near my studio. I loved the shape but wanted it to come alive with a Spine that centred the whole piece. The line has a big sensuous curve throughout the length of the piece that connects a mirror finish side to a highly textured cross hatched broad side. The flip side has the original texture out of the ocean. By having such a strong line at the centre the three radically different texture work together and make sense in a way that makes you fell instead of see.
What is a recent experience or place that stirred your creative energy and influenced a new piece?
Oddly I get a picture of the finished sculpture in my head before I start sculpting, particularly in the found objects series. It often doesn't change much between the time i start and the time I finish. A great example is Bird. I found the piece of wood on my property and almost immediately saw what it could become. It had the lines, shape and texture I look for in the series. I began with the end, by figuring out how i would ultimately mount it. From there I started playing with what I needed to do to it to make a sculpture and yet keep the shapes and textures that I fell in love with to begin with. Once I had the shape I wanted I focused on bringing it to life with colours and textures from the west coast. I love distressed or worn textures and colours like you find on old logs, or whales, or boat hulls and those became my references. In spite of working on it for over 4 months the colours and the textures ended up where I imagined it could be when I first found the wood and became so excited about the idea for the sculpture.
John Clinton’s sculptures offer more than visual appeal; they are doorways into a layered experience, reflecting the push and pull of nature, humanity, and time itself. Through careful attention to form, texture, and the subtle power of suggestion, Clinton’s pieces invite viewers to look beyond the surface and engage with the feelings, stories, and energy that shaped them. As he continues to explore and refine his craft, Clinton’s work reminds us to slow down, look closer, and find inspiration in the unexpected.
Check Out All John's Pieces HERE
