Artists | MAKI Gallery | MAKI

Born in Coshocton, Ohio in 1976, Clinton King holds a BFA in painting from Columbus College of Art and Design and an MFA in sculpture from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. King’s artistic approach is defined by his emphasis on the material and sensory qualities of painting and his minimalist approach, which often creates elaborate maximalist effects.
In his paintings, King builds on each brushstroke, constructing a matrix of patterns that pulse with energy and motion. He examines the concept of accumulation through the use of a single, charged brushstroke as the basis of each work. His sweeping brushwork transforms the canvas into captivating, kaleidoscopic force fields, showcasing his investigation of the relationship between order and disorder and the tangible and abstract. In his recent work, King has adopted a mode he calls “strategic spontaneity,” drawing inspiration from the Japanese martial art of Aikido to maximize impact through what he calls “active reception.”
Through his art, King poses thought-provoking questions, such as “How much information can a single brushstroke convey?” and “What are the perceptual thresholds in a work of art?” He seeks to uncover what is lost or concealed by our everyday awareness. As King explains, “Painting transforms inner experiences into outwardly perceptible forms.”
King’s recent solo exhibitions include Mythmatics, MAKI Gallery (Tokyo, 2023); LIVING ENDS, Carl Kostyál (London, 2022); and FREE RADICAL, Allouche Benias Gallery (Athens, 2021). He is also a frequent participant in group exhibitions worldwide, primarily in the US.