Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark

Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark (b. 1995) is a sculptor, writer, researcher and curator based in London. D'Clark's practice explores the notion of black identity between hyper-visibility and invisibility. Through a range of different media and sculptures, D'Clark offers a reimagined ideology of black anatomy. Her art practice merges traditional aesthetic methods of objecthood with everyday experiences. D’Clark also explores the playful theatricality of sculpture, examining the space between objects modelling the real and its ability to usurp the ‘original’ as self-sustaining fictions. Alongside sculptural curatorial considerations - more specifically its critical and vital relationship with space in its pursuit of presence - this has seen her work becoming embedded in the everyday, collective experience, presenting themselves as larger installations - in the creation of objects that are explicit in their political undertones and personal narrative commentary, whilst polarised in their more covert, playful and subtle methods of installation and display.

D’Clark holds a BA from Chelsea College of Arts (2017), MA from Chelsea College of Arts (2018), and an MA in Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication from University of the Arts London (2021-23). 

Solo commissions include three permanent sculptures at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama (2024); ‘Body and Soul’ installation at Canary Wharf, London (2019); ‘Black + White = Grey’, Picnic Gallery, London (2019). 

Group exhibitions include ‘To be Held’, Carl Freedman Gallery (2023); ‘Collective Processes’, HOME by Ronan McKenzie x Gucci, Gucci Circolo Shoreditch, London (2021); ‘Temptation Awaits’, FACE Ltd. London, 2021; ‘ING Discerning Eye’, Mall Galleries, London (2021); Eye of the Collector, Two Temple Place, London (2021); BAD ART PRESENTS Hot Air, Tremors Atelier, Berlin (2021); ‘The State of Things’, Copeland Gallery, London (2019).

D'Clark's works have been featured in Elephant, Its Nice That, ARCCA, LOVE, Dazed, The Guardian and she has been awarded the Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024).