Clarke Reynolds
Clarke Reynolds is a groundbreaking contemporary artist who has redefined the relationship between art and accessibility. Despite being visually impaired, Clarke has found profound ways to incorporate Braille into his artwork, making tactile art that speaks to both sighted and blind audiences. Working from his studio in Portsmouth, Clarke's process uniquely integrates Braille as both a language and an art form, turning words into textured, vibrant pieces. His mission is to make art more inclusive while advocating for the use of Braille, something he teaches and promotes through various initiatives, including his class at Kings Cross Academy. Clarke’s work celebrates resilience and innovation, reflecting his own journey with sight loss and his passion for connecting people through the power of touch.
Born in 1981 in Portsmouth, Clarke Reynolds began his life journey with a unique perspective, one shaped by limited sight and profound resilience. Despite facing the challenges of domestic violence and alcohol abuse in his childhood, Clarke found solace and expression through drawing. His sketchbook became his sanctuary, a space where he could escape and create.Clarke's artistic path took a pivotal turn when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, leading to the eventual loss of sight in his right eye at the age of just 6, since then he has lost the sight in his left eye leaving him with just 5 degrees of vision. These ife-altering events steered him away from his career as a dental model maker, but also opened a new door to the world of art. It was through his discovery of textiles that Clarke realised he could translate the tactility of fabrics and the dimension of sound into visual art, crafting pieces that are not only seen but felt.