Each year as part of Graduate Photography Online we ask a number of professionals from the world of photography to review all the work submitted and choose their favourites. We chat to Chris Clarke, Senior Curator, Exhibitions & Collections at The Glucksman and Selector for the MA/MFA phase of Graduate Photography Online 2024.
Chris Clarke
Senior Curator, Exhibitions & Collections, Glucksman
Tell us about your job? What does your core role at The Glucksman involve?
I am the Senior Curator for Exhibitions and Projects at the Glucksman, University College Cork. My main role is to research and prepare our gallery exhibition programme, working with Irish and international artists as well as galleries, museums and lenders to curate thematic group shows. The Project strand of our programme involves curating newly commissioned solo presentations by artists in off-site locations.
How did you make your way into the area of work you're now in? Did you always want to work in a field that involved photography?
I originally studied Fine Art MA back in Newfoundland, Canada, with a (short-lived) view to becoming a professional artist. However, I was always involved in art criticism and, after working in arts publishing and education, I moved into a more curatorial role. While my current position encompasses showing a range of artistic media, I've had an abiding interest in photography and film for several years, having curated lens-based exhibitions in Ireland, Austria, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK.
How do you decide on what makes an interesting photograph or photographic project?
For me, a strong conceptual approach is always important in selecting photographic works and projects. I have a particular interest in research-based practices and I certainly appreciate when an artist can demonstrate a thorough and considered knowledge of their subject matter.
As regards the photographer's statement, what are the most important things for you to know about the work? When it comes to showing their work outside of University, do you have any tips on how graduates should prepare their work and the supporting material that accompanies it?
For better or for worse, a clear and concise statement on your practice is essential. Photography, and art in general, is about communication, so the statement should reflect your interest in the subject and make me interested in it as well. I want to know what interests you about your subject, how you experienced it, and how the photographs convey this interest. Obviously, a statement is a complement to the photographs themselves, but it can be very useful in setting the tone for how these images should be seen and understood. As for the photographs, I would rather see a well-edited selection of images, the ones that best exemplify the project and your practice.
What are the particular challenges you see facing graduates from photography degree courses as they make their way into the world at this particular point in time?
The major challenge is getting your work seen - by curators, critics, publishers, audiences. So, I would say that, first and foremost, get your images out there: submit portfolios to journals, apply for open submissions, stage exhibitions (and make sure people know about them). The art world is smaller than you think so don't feel you can't reach out to your peers.
What advice would you have for someone interested in working in your particular area of photography?
My particular area is curation and criticism. As a practicing photographer, you'll find yourself regularly seeing work that interests (or infuriates) you, that you want to discuss or to share with other people. I would say to do just that. Criticism and art writing is one of the best entry points into curating - through writing, you essentially gain a new viewpoint on art, and curating an exhibition is a great way to express that perspective. It doesn't need to be in an established museum or gallery either; find an alternative space, a warehouse or club or apartment, and start from there.