Award-winning Aussie sculptor finds ‘explosive’ inspiration in Vietnam

Glen Clark, 52, won the National Sculpture Prize 2005 for American crater near Hanoi #2, created from Vietnamese and US currency, cotton thread, and wood.

Clarke said the sculpture was motivated by recent involvement with a non-profit organisation PROJECT RENEW in Vietnam’s central Quang Tri province.

Their primary objectives are Mine Risk Education (MRE), and the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance in Quang Tri province and neighbouring regions.

Judges in the contest said the work was exceptional, fragile and delicate in addressing a particularly powerful subject.

The artist integrated his message and specific form to allow the viewer multiple interpretations, yielding constant rediscovery as it is observed, they said.

Clarke made his first visit to Vietnam in 1998. To create this work, the Sydney-based artist said he had studied, measured, and analysed more than 190 bomb craters across the country.

Clarke stressed that by capturing images of bomb craters, he did not want to recall losses and pain, but rather wanted to create a background to highlight Vietnam’s new vitality.

The artist also revealed a sensitivity to heroine Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, whom Clarke said through her image he could feel the spiritual strength of Vietnam’s kind and gentle women.

Asked about Australia’s public opinion o­n the National Sculpture Prize 2005, Clarke said the fact that the first prize was awarded to a work featuring Vietnam proved that Australians are keenly interested and aware of Vietnam.

“Dangers still linger though the war is over. I want to create works through that call Australians to think and act o­n behalf of Vietnam,” he said.