Artist captures ‘People in Geometry’ classic moments

TRENTON, N.J. — For Fine Arts Photographer John Clarke, retirement from a career in Architecture

has led him to defining relationships between people and their unique geometric surroundings.

Clarke’s most recent photography collection called, “People in Geometry” is a black and white monochrome exhibition at Artworks in Trenton lasting a month through Feb. 23.

With this exhibition of fine arts photography, Clarke said that light is an important factor in all the photographs.

“Sparkling surfaces that glow and reflect draw the viewer’s interest into the photo,” he states.

Clarke also said that the idea to monochrome his photographs is deliberate, and he does it “to emphasize the relationship between the geometry of the setting and the people.”

He chooses to make them black and white because he wants his photos to be “timeless and abstract.”

As longtime architect, who is a partner emeritus of Clarke Caton Hintz, an award-winning architectural and planning firm based in Trenton, Clarke said he spent his professional life “immersed in architectural and urban design issues.”

His work involved photography.

At the recent opening reception for this exhibition, Clarke said, “I like the idea of exhibiting my artwork here because the space is very ideal and conducive to showing photos and paintings.”

Clarke has a lot of history with the Artworks building and the Mill Hill area in general.

But he said, “I’ve never had an exhibition in this building before, and I’ve only being doing this type of (fine arts) photography since I retired from my architectural practice” eight years ago.

Clarke’s relationship with the Artworks building dates back to nearly 50 years ago when he was the City of Trenton Director of Planning and Development.

He said he was instrumental in acquiring the old Sears building, getting federal funds, and renovating it to make sure they would create a space for artists.

Now Clarke is finally “closing the loop” by exhibiting his own work in a building that he helped to design, and he is also educating the public about this new type of photography that he is enjoying.

He says his favorite piece in the “People in Geometry” exhibition is the one called the “Reflection of Man” photograph that he took in the courtyard of PS1 Museum in New York City.

To express action in a setting, Clarke creates this photo to show the “reflection of the uniquely dressed older man looking at the young woman.”

With most of these photos, Clarke is trying to tell a story about a person somewhere who has an expression, or is doing an action.  He captures a decisive moment. He says light can also define the settings, or the peoples in the photos.

The Artworks exhibition also has a photograph by Clarke that is called, “Bicycle in Princeton.”

This local photo shows a male on a bicycle in a science building at Princeton University.

“I am interested in this location due to the people moving through the pattern of light and shadow created by the buildings sun screen,” explains Clarke.

As an architect, Clarke has the ability to choose the ideal spaces and buildings for his photos.

“I think he’s remarkable. Because he’s an architect, he has such an eye for how spaces and shapes and people all come together,” said John D. S. Hatch, FAIA, LEED AP at Clarke Caton Hintz Architectural and Planning Firm.

“It’s about the connections and contrasts of the people to the geometry,” he said.

At the opening reception to “People in Geometry,” Clarke expressed gratitude to be showing “this group of photos” in a neighborhood that he is “very familiar with.

He also mentioned that as an architect in the City, he was also involved with the creation of the Architects Housing, Passage Theater, and the home renovations in Mill Hill.

To become more familiar with John Clarke’s photography, visit his website at

https://johnclarke.smugmug.com