In 1988 an unexpected gift arrived on Barry Moreland’s doorstep. It was a framed portrait of his former partner, ballet dancer Paul Clarke who had abruptly died seven years earlier. The gift was from Robert Juniper – an artist best known for his landscapes. When he met Clarke in 1978 however, only months before his death, Juniper felt compelled to capture his beauty.

There is something of the ballet in Juniper’s hand. Slight yet fluid, he draws out Clarke’s features, letting his pencil leap across the page in poised quickness. This is a moving document of a young man’s promise, an artist’s discerning eye, friendship and love, made more poignant by the mortality lapping at its edges.

Juniper is a highly acclaimed artist and two-time winner of the Wynne Prize. He met Clarke while with the London Festival Ballet’s production of Rudolf Nureyev’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’; Clarke was the production’s Principal Dancer. In 1988 Juniper spent time with Moreland, who was then Director of the West Australian Ballet, while designing sets for him.

From the private collection of Barry Moreland, ‘Untitled (Portrait of Paul Clarke)’ is a deeply special work. It is finally ready to continue its life beside a new custodian.

To find out more, reach out.
 

Robert JUNIPER (1929 - 2012)
'Untitled (Portrait of Paul Clarke)' 1975
pencil on paper
Image Size: 41 x 32 cm
Dimensions: 59 x 49 x 2 cm
Signed: Signed and dated lower right: Juniper 75
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Availability: in stock
Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art’s image As New, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to paint surface. Image is in Fine condition.
© The Artist or Assignee