Michael Clark

Born 19 December 1918
Died 24 January 1990

Active: 1935 - 1990

Country of birth and death: England

Sculptor

Born in Cheltenham. He was the son of Philip Lindsey Clark and grandson of Robert Lindsey Clark. Michael studied with his father and at the Chelsea School of Art (1935-7) and at the City and Guilds School in Kennington (1947-50). In 1949 he exhibited sculpture at the Royal Academy of Arts. Clark was awarded a Silver Medal by the RBS in 1967 and the Otto Beit Medal for Sculpture for a second time in 1978. Clark was Vice President of the RBS from 1969-71 and President from 1971-6.

Clark worked in stone, wood, bronze and glass fibre, largely creating religious works. His sculpture is represented in more than a hundred churches, schools and public buildings around Britain. His 'Relief of Christ, St. Edward and St. Peter' was commissioned for Westminster Abbey, in 1966. There is a large crucifix which was a collaboration between Michael and his father, Philip Lindsey Clark, at St Richard's Catholic Church, Market Avenue, Chichester (1966) and a Pieta by Michael at Holy Family Church, Heath End, Farnham (1977). This latter church also has an important series of windows by the stained glass artist, Moira Forsyth (1905-1991). Clark's major commissions include: a relief of Christ, St. Edward and St. Peter, which was awarded the RBS 'Best work of the year' medal; Glorious Assumption, a carving in wood for The Friars, Aylesbury, which was awarded the Otto Beit medal (1960), and a Risen Christ for Church of Our Lady, St. John's Wood, London. Among Clark's other notable works are: The Statue of the Risen Christ in the Catholic Church in High Street Kensington; Risen Christ, Madonna and Child, St. Joseph, St.Antony, Stations of the Cross and many other works in the Church of Our Lady, Lissom Grove, St. John's Wood; and Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Joseph and many other works in the Priory, Aylesford Kent.

There is archive material relating to Michael Clark at the Royal British Society of Sculptors, London (accessed by appointment). This record includes information submitted by the artist's daughter, Magdalen Lindsey Clark and by Rev. David A. Buckley, see http://www.holyfamilyfarnham.org/gallery/ (accessed 7 March 2013). The Crucifix in Chichester is recorded at http://www.publicsculpturesofsussex.co.uk/object?id=92 (accessed 7 March 2013).

Citing this record

'Michael Clark', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib4_1274093663, accessed 02 Apr 2023]