Terence Clarke, Biography

A trained artist of recognition, contemporary landscape and still life painter Terence Clarke is highly regarded for his bold use of colour, strong drawing and distinctive flattened perspective. Fascinated by the interplay between drawing and painterliness, Terence masterfully balances the reality of observation with his expressive liberation of intense light and rich colour.

Born in Manchester and raised in the Ribble Valley, Terence studied Fine Art at Lancashire Polytechnic before going on to complete his Master’s Degree at the Royal College of Art. Immediately after his graduation in 1979, Terence exhibited his work in various galleries throughout London and the UK, firmly establishing what would become a successful career spanning decades.

Taking inspiration from Matisse, Cezanne and the Scottish Colourists, Terence skilfully uses colour to emphasise the drama of light in a bold, but seemingly natural way. His simple, yet vivid motifs are carefully constructed with an acute awareness of overall composition and harmony, yielding sensuous work of sheer visual delight. Through his own exploration of his surroundings, Terence shares a fresh experience and provides a renewed appreciation for the extraordinary quality of the visual world.

Terence’s career continues to flourish, and his paintings remain highly sought after by collectors of contemporary art. His work has been exhibited widely across the UK and hangs in many private and public collections around the world, including The Contemporary Art Society, the Royal College of Art and the Dudley Museum & Art Gallery. He has also written extensively for periodicals including Artists and Illustrators magazine and contributed to various books on technique and painting materials—most notably “Still Life” by Betsy Hosegood and “The Artist’s Manual”, published by Harper Collins.

5 available artworks by Terence Clarke