Your piece on Ossie Clark offers a fascinating exploration of his complex life and immense talent. Your details about his creative partnerships and personal struggles are enlightening and well-researched. You’ve skilfully captured the brilliance and turbulence of his world.
Thanks for this, Jules. Love the clip from the interview with Celia Birtwell. It gives so many insights into her relationship Ossie Clark - creative partnerships are so interesting. Tragic that Ossie never vanquished his demons though.
Yes, I think it's pure magic when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I think they were both brilliant individually, but working together their designs were something else.
It was a shame that Ossie's career fizzled gradually - and of course his terrible death.
Is it possible for artists to have normal lives? I often wonder this. Or perhaps we hear mostly about those whose lives are tragic. Jules have you seen the documentary about Alexander McQueen? I wasn't that familiar with his work so when his clothes were showing locally at the National Gallery, I first watched the doco. Anyway, his designs were spectacular. I haven't heard of Clark so, as usual, you have educated me. With thanks.
I saw a doc about McQueen years ago, not sure if it’s the same one but yes, amazing talent. If I remember rightly he committed suicide after his mother died? I loved his work. Not the extreme stuff but the vast majority.
I think hedonism can go hand in hand with that level of talent. The stress of producing collections is huge, then if they’re lucky they get adulation, if not, despair. High pressure leads to substance abuse and before you know it there’s a tragedy. So sad.
You know my love for Hockney and his milieu, Jules, so it should be no surprise how much I loved this exploration of Clark’s life and work! The writing is fabulous and the video clips you’ve interlaced really enhance the storytelling. Now I feel an itch to rewatch A Bigger Splash! 💙🌊
I do, Michael and I was hoping you'd like it! I think "A Bigger Splash" is a good film, although DH was not at all sure about it initially. I read that he sent Ossie to a screening before it came out, just to see what he thought, and Ossie gave it the thumbs up. Although there are a lot of surreal sequences in it there's no doubt that it captures that time beautifully. I love the scenes with Patrick Procktor.
Thank you so much for reading, and for the lovely comment!
I’m so glad Hockney didn’t give into his doubts about the film! I love its feeling of hazy surreality — and such a beautiful testament to art and gay love in that one slice of freedom we got to experience between Stonewall and the beginning of AIDS. 💙
Your piece on Ossie Clark offers a fascinating exploration of his complex life and immense talent. Your details about his creative partnerships and personal struggles are enlightening and well-researched. You’ve skilfully captured the brilliance and turbulence of his world.
Thanks Jon! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Thanks for this, Jules. Love the clip from the interview with Celia Birtwell. It gives so many insights into her relationship Ossie Clark - creative partnerships are so interesting. Tragic that Ossie never vanquished his demons though.
Yes, I think it's pure magic when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I think they were both brilliant individually, but working together their designs were something else.
It was a shame that Ossie's career fizzled gradually - and of course his terrible death.
Thanks for reading, James.
Is it possible for artists to have normal lives? I often wonder this. Or perhaps we hear mostly about those whose lives are tragic. Jules have you seen the documentary about Alexander McQueen? I wasn't that familiar with his work so when his clothes were showing locally at the National Gallery, I first watched the doco. Anyway, his designs were spectacular. I haven't heard of Clark so, as usual, you have educated me. With thanks.
I saw a doc about McQueen years ago, not sure if it’s the same one but yes, amazing talent. If I remember rightly he committed suicide after his mother died? I loved his work. Not the extreme stuff but the vast majority.
I think hedonism can go hand in hand with that level of talent. The stress of producing collections is huge, then if they’re lucky they get adulation, if not, despair. High pressure leads to substance abuse and before you know it there’s a tragedy. So sad.
Thanks for reading Jo x
You know my love for Hockney and his milieu, Jules, so it should be no surprise how much I loved this exploration of Clark’s life and work! The writing is fabulous and the video clips you’ve interlaced really enhance the storytelling. Now I feel an itch to rewatch A Bigger Splash! 💙🌊
I do, Michael and I was hoping you'd like it! I think "A Bigger Splash" is a good film, although DH was not at all sure about it initially. I read that he sent Ossie to a screening before it came out, just to see what he thought, and Ossie gave it the thumbs up. Although there are a lot of surreal sequences in it there's no doubt that it captures that time beautifully. I love the scenes with Patrick Procktor.
Thank you so much for reading, and for the lovely comment!
I’m so glad Hockney didn’t give into his doubts about the film! I love its feeling of hazy surreality — and such a beautiful testament to art and gay love in that one slice of freedom we got to experience between Stonewall and the beginning of AIDS. 💙
It’s a sobering thought that it was such a brief period of freedom. It captures a moment in time, just as Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” did.
Fascinating, tragic, and well written!
Thanks, Miter!