Juxtapoz Magazine – Cathleen Clarke and the “Morning Star”

There is something gothic, supernatural to the show Morning Star, Cathleen Clarke’s new exhibition at Night Gallery in Los Angeles. The series offers a profound exploration of transition and transformation, akin to witnessing the sky’s embrace of a new day, full of promise and replete with uncertainty. And something mysterious, almost haunting. Clarke’s work, in this regard, acts as a conduit between the mystical and the tangible, inviting viewers to ponder the cyclical nature of existence. Her deft manipulation of hue and texture evokes a sense of movement, a dance of light that celebrates life’s fleeting moments.  Clarke’s background, steeped in both classical studies and contemporary practice, is evident in her ability to weave intricate narratives through her art. Influences range from mythical representations found in ancient texts to the stark realism of modern life, and Morning Star stands as a testament to this fusion. Some of the works, though cach piece feels like a page from a story, felt like walking into a new season of True Detective, a narrative thread that weaves itself into the viewer’s consciousness. —Evan Pricco