1944-Present
Works in the Collection
Biography
Born in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, Melvin Clark’s work reflects his deep connection to jazz and African American heritage. Clark studied at the Center for Creative Studies before moving to New York. He worked at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and the Lower East Side Printshop. Music plays a central role in Clark’s work: “I was able to see live, all the living legends of Jazz. … I often use musical themes in my art. The energy of live musical performances is what I strive to capture in my compositions.” His artworks are in many notable collections including the Museum of Modern Art, the Modern African Arts Gallery, Amsterdam, the Printmaking Workshop, New York, the Lower East Side Printshop, New York, the Detroit Board of Education, and the Pehl Collection, Eldersburg, MD.