Mitch Clark: Riff Driven

This is Mitch Clark’s second solo exhibition at Oliva Gallery. 

In the 60's I shared a studio with Charlie Pearson who was a jazz musician and composer. His upright piano, double base, and guitars took up very little space in the studio.  He paid half the rent.  This was all to my advantage. Charlie was a great friend and good company.  When composing he would tap out on the piano a short musical phrase – a riff.   Sometimes he would say, “Imagine this a little faster.”   Then he would ask me what I thought.  I was able to see a relationship between what he was doing with music and time, and what I was attempting to do with paint. Later I began to work with shapes – visual rifts, a catch.  Thanks Charlie, this exhibit is for you. -Mitch Clark