Sonya Clark

This is the first publication to document and contextualise Clarks large-scale, collaborative art works. These projects demonstrate Clarks career-long commitment to addressing the urgent issue of racial inequality in U.S. society and her philosophy of creatively engaging the viewer in reflection on the nations history of slavery and our roles in dismantling systemic racism today. As an extension of her abiding commitment to issues of history, race, and reconciliation in her work, Clark is also distinctive as an artist for her use of fiber, textiles and other everyday materials, which she aligns with the intertwined histories of art and craft. For marginalised people (African Americans and women, in particular) handwork has been essential to survival and consequently has functioned as an important means of creating a group identity. Hence, for Clark, craft is essential to the question of equality.