The greatest heartache is the chance you didn’t take.
With the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition closing this Sunday, we take a look back at 2019 poster competition winner Matthew Clarke. The contemporary artist blew away the Adelaide Fringe Poster judging panel and Fringe-lovers with his entry, so we asked Matthew to give a little insight into his journey.
Read, get inspired and submit your entry before it’s too late!
What were you doing the year you won the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition?
I was working in my studio, in the old Fletcher Jones building in Warrnambool. I was thriving in this space amongst other artists. I had just been accepted into the Dobell Drawing Prize at the National Art School in Sydney
What prompted you to submit an entry?
It was a free competition and still is to enter. Then and now I struggle with making money from art, like 98% of all artists.
Had you submitted an entry in years prior to winning?
Yes, the previous year I entered in 2017 .
What did winning the competition mean to you?
It meant excitement and recognition. I was overwhelmed when I saw my poster running 30 times in a row in a major street of Adelaide.
Describe Adelaide Fringe in 3 words?
Fun, mind-bowling and adventurous
You should enter the poster competition because….
International and national exposure for your work. The Adelaide Fringe staff are amazingly supportive
What are you doing now?
I am still painting, drawing and entering competitions. This year I am in the National Works on paper prize. I am working from my studio next to my house.
You can find Matthew Clarke’s work here: @matthewclarke86_art