June Clark's art has been in Canada's biggest galleries, but she only recently began calling herself an artist

June Clark has had a remarkable year.

Opening this past spring, the 83-year-old artist was the subject of a major solo exhibition at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. At the same time, her work was included in the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto's triennial, Greater Toronto Art 2024. Currently, a display of her work is on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where it will be exhibited for the entire year.  

Now, Clark vies for the $100,000 Sobey Art Award — the richest prize in Canadian art — as the shortlister selected to represent Ontario. 

The artist is best known for her work in photography, collage and installation. Born in New York and based in Toronto, Clark's deeply autobiographical practice explores themes of identity, history and memory, reflecting often upon her childhood in Harlem as well as her migration to Canada as a young adult, during a period of political turmoil. 

Although her creative work spans five decades, Clark told CBC Arts that it's only recently she began to consider herself an artist. 

To get to know the six finalists from across Canada contending for the Sobey Art Award, CBC Arts sent a questionnaire to each artist. Read on to learn how Miles Davis and Nina Simone influence Clark's work, why the artist says "memories are like imps" and what she's presenting at the Sobey Art Award exhibition. 

The winner of the 2024 Sobey Art Award will be announced on Nov. 9. You can find all of our 2024 Sobey Art Award coverage here.

When did you know you'd be an artist? 

From the first photograph that I made in the early '70s, I did not consider myself an artist. At the time, I was fulfilling a need to preserve images of what I thought that I had lost by moving so abruptly from Harlem. After completing the MFA program at York, I found that other people began bestowing on me the title of "artist." It's only recently (last six or seven years?) that I've been comfortable describing myself as an "artist." Before this, I made photographs and I made stuff. 

What does art allow you to do?

In making art, I exorcise demons; I relieve tension; I get in touch with who I am; I contact those who have gone before to ask, "How am I doing?"

Is there a question, inquiry or investigation central to your art practice? What is it?

My questions are: Who am I? How and why am I here? How may I make my ancestors proud? What is the best way to visually communicate?

Why do you practice the disciplines you do? Why do you use the materials you do? What is their significance?

Usually, I have something provoking me to be said. I then scout out the best materials in which to visually express the provocation. My materials find me on the road, in the shops, in my basement, from sympathetic friends. 

How does place influence your art?

I am interpreting this question with regard to "place" to mean "studio" as opposed to city or country. This is because wherever I am, my work comes from within. Therefore, my "place" usually has dimensions, whether it's Paris, Toronto or New York. Depending on the studio that I'm in, I make according to my parameters — e.g., I've made miniatures in tiny spaces and large wall works in larger spaces.

To work best, what do you absolutely need?

To be left alone.

What was the most impactful work of art — in any medium — you experienced this past year? 

Alas, this past year, I have been unable to travel or get to see many works of art, memorable or otherwise. However, if I may, when I need it, I listen to Miles Davis' Kind of Blue and anything by Nina Simone or Billie Holiday. These people went inside and bared what they needed to.

If you weren't an artist, what would you like to do for work?

I would love to have played jazz piano. No, I do not play the piano.

Can you tell us about the artwork you're showing at the National Gallery of Canada for the Sobey Art Award exhibition?

The works Critical History and 2191 Reprise are prime examples of my memory overtaking.  Here, my memories insisted and persisted in order that I could, visually, unfurl community.  While the names are different, we all have people in our pasts that continue to shape us, positively or negatively.

How does it exemplify your practice?

Again, when and where strong memories rise to the surface, it is imperative for me to find a visual way in which to express what I need to say. Of course, memories are like imps. Memories play constant tricks in that I have been known to erroneously remember incidents where I star and triumph. The care and time in the making of the objects is my way of resisting the misleading "ego deception" of some memories.  

The winner of the 2024 Sobey Art Award will be announced on Nov. 9 in Ottawa. The Sobey Art Award exhibition continues at the National Gallery of Canada through April 6, 2025.