A&D ANNUAL 2021

Heather Clarke

Heather Clarke is a contemporary artist whose practice is informed by autobiographical and confessional art. Her body of work ‘Secrets’ explores the ability to draw on past experiences to bring public attention to the truth. The work is heavily influenced by her own memories as a young child, along with domestic violence secrets told to her by clients over her four-decade career as a hairdresser.Through reflection, Heather has realised the significance of the role a hairdresser plays in community, providing a consistent safe space for people to confess their darkest secrets. This was highlighted though the first lock down in Melbourne 2020, revealing the burden and trauma hairdressers have carried without any mental or health services to assist them within their industry. While reflecting on the stories disclosed throughout her hairdressing career, ‘Secrets’ is also autobiographical, heavily influenced by Heather's memories as a 6-year-old child hearing about the domestic violence suffered by her grandma in the hands of her poppy.