MichaelClarkArts Opal Sculptures 2011 series part1

"Wild Blue Yonder"

"Wild Blue Yonder"  FF122 from the 2011 series.

measurements: 6.5cm height x 11cm length.

Sorry no longer available.

(measurements are of the opal sculpture itself only, not the included red cedar pedestal.)

"Cave Painting"

"Cave Painting"  FF123 from the 2011 series.

measurements: 8cm height x 7cm length.

weight: Stone186gms, with stand 250gms.

Sorry No Longer Available.
Has found a new home with the "Opal Cave" in Lightning Ridge.  N.S.W. Australia.

(measurements are of the opal sculpture itself only, not the included red cedar pedestal.)

"Holy One"

"Holy One"  FF125 from the 2011 series.

measurements:  6.5cm height x 5cm length.

weight: Stone 85gms, with stand 123gms

Sorry No Longer Available.
Has found a new home with the "Opal Cave" in Lightning Ridge. N.S.W. Australia.

(measurements are of the opal sculpture only. not the included red cedar pedestal.)

"Old Sea Dog"

"Old Sea Dog"  FF124 from the 2011 series.

8cm height x 5cm length 

(measurements are of the opal sculpture itself only, not the included red cedar pedestal.)
Sorry No Longer Available. 

"Sea Whisperer"

"Sea Whisperer" FF118 from the 2011 series.

A sublimely elegant sculpture with delicate sparkling colours in translucent opal, that resembles many facets of an ocean dweller.

"Sea Whisperer"

"Sea Whisperer" FF118 from the 2011 series.

Displaying dramatic contrasts of deep, colourful opal on all sides, this is a distinctive and interesting sculpture.

"Sea Whispererer"

"Sea Whisperer" FF118 from the 2011 series.

8cm height x 11cm length

(measurements are of the opal sculpture itself only, not the included red cedar pedestal.)
Sorry No Longer Available.

"Fantasia"

"Fantasia" FF117 from the 2011 series.

An enchanting opal sculpture, with a dynamic array of dazzling blues, aquas, turquoise and reds.  Accompanied by dark brown silt stone creating a wonderful contrast.  The design of this piece is modern, yet timeless and demonstrates the growing potential and popularity of this gifted sculptor. 

Sorry no longer available.

"Fantasia"

" Fantasia" FF117 from the 2011 series

8cm height x 9.5cm length

The back view of "Fantasia", exquisitely carved to highlight the natural pattern formed in the stone.

Article from "Metal Stone & Glass" magazine Autumn 2011 Volume 54

"Waterfall" - Beginning of a Journey

(A sculpture by Michael Clark)

by: Lorrae E and Glenn Lawrence

Stacked upon a well used table in 2009, a mixture of boulder opal and Koroit matrix lay glittering in the Australian outback morning sun, flashing all the colours of the rainbow from within its dusty, ancient host.

Inside one of these boulders lay a seam that lead to a large, gleaming, undulating face of turquoise, emerald green and blue opal which was soon to become the "Waterfall", a free form sculpture from the Koroit opal fields in Queensland, Australia.

This small treasure of rough desert boulders then travelled from the western opal fields to a tranquil rainforest studio on Queensland's Sunshine Coast where it sat unexposed for 6 months waiting for its transformation.

Initially, Michael followed a thin sparkling seam that was showing at one end of the boulder.  Carefully and patiently, the covering stone was removed to reveal the face of shimmering blue rapids.  He continued enhancing the remaining three sides by following the natural patterning of the stone, creating unique designs that completed the sculpture.  Then, a piece of Australian Red Cedar was selected, carved and polished as its presentation stand resulting in a totally Australian art piece.

Excited with the find, six and a half weeks of carving, sanding and polishing quickly vanished as the sculpture of the "Waterfall" took form and became one of the main features of Michael's hand carved Queensland boulder opal sculptures of 2010, going on to be displayed at many of the Australian Opal Expos during the southern winter.

Carefully wrapped, the "Waterfall" journeyed over 1,000 kilometres to be exhibited firstly at the Winton Opal Expo, where the oohs and ahhs began.

The Yowah Opal Expo was the next showing of the "Waterfall". Once more, people were both taken by this stunning sculpture as well as simply relished the opportunity to view such a large faced opal sculpture accompanied by the beautiful matrix for which the Koroit opal fields are world famous.

On the way to Lightning Ridge for the 2010 festival, Michael and his partner Lorrae dropped into the Koroit opal field once more and found themselves standing only metres away from where this boulder had formed in an ancient inland cretaceous sea and laid undisturbed for over a hundred million years.  Its full beauty and creative potential was place back into the hands of the amazed men who had dug it up only 12 months before.

As the sun set over the desert landscape that day, the "Waterfall" sparkled and tumbled away on a opal miner's outdoor table in remembrance of the far lusher environment of it birth place.

Next was the Lightning Ridge Opal Expo, where the "Waterfall" stole the hearts of many, "Including our own",  says Lorrae, "as we knew that soon e would almost certainly have to part ways with this very special piece."

People had read about Michael exhibiting his sculptures in an article from the winter edition of Australia's Metal Stone & Glass magazine.  The response to this year's series of  sculptures accompanying the "Waterfall' was just fantastic.

After travelling all over the Queensland outback, then down into New South Wales, they then headed across to the Gold Coast Trade Expo, where the "Waterfall" would have its next showing.

Again the reception was overwhelming and it was here that Ernst and Helen Schlangenotto from Schlangenotto Opals in Germany fell in love with this magnificent, uniquely Australian sculpture.

The journey of the "Waterfall" has only just begun.  Leaving Australia, it will be exhibited by Ernst and Helen at the Mineralientage Gem Expo in Munich this October, 2010.

 

 

"Pacific Totem"

"Pacific Totem," is an exquisite Queensland boulder opal carving featuring eye catching, radiant colours of azure deep blue on one side and a unique sparkling sky blue pipe on the other.  Beautifully carved in freeform style on all sides, this stunning sculpture may be presented either way.
Sorry No Longer Available.

"Pacific Totem"

"Pacific Totem" FF119 from the 2011 series

The  back view of the sculpture, presented on a hand carved red cedar stand.

"Pacific Totem"

"Pacific Totem" FF119 from the 2011 series

13cm height x 4cm length

(measurements are of the sculptures ONLY, the red cedar stand is not included.)
Sorry No Longer Available.

"Picasso's Dreams"

"Picasso's Dreams"   FF114 from the 2011 series.

 Picasso's Dreams is a beautiful example of the way in which Michael loves to express himself in this uniquely Australian opal medium.

This colourful sculpture, which highlights a myriad of abstract forms, organic lines, and shimmering, electric colours, is surely reminiscent of what the great master himself must have imagined, or dreamed, at times.

What would Picasso have created had he ever worked in opal...?  Perhaps Michael Clark has given us an insight...