The White House China is a book of photographic and mixed media reconstructions based on the collection of dinnerware at the presidential residence in Washington, DC. Aiming to correct certain historical omissions, Kathleen Y. Clark investigates the iconography and incongruity of an America established through violent conquest yet framed by elegant theory and language. Inspired by early political illustrators who used their explosive imagery to reveal the injustice behind the country’s facade of equality, these re-creations look at presidential contradictions and pivotal judgements made throughout the nation’s history. The White House China shines a light on often-destructive events which happened by decision or neglect within each administration, providing a stark contrast to the assumption of civilization and culture set around historic dining tables.
The White House China photographs recently won an Honorary Mention Project Launch Grant from Center Santa Fe in New Mexico. They are also among the 200 Finalists at Critical Mass from Photolucida, Portland, Oregon.
Southern California based artist/photographer Kathleen Y. Clark makes images exploring themes of history, social justice, language and home. She received an MFA from the University of California, Irvine and has exhibited at Southern Exposure and Photoeye, San Francisco; COCA, Seattle; PCVA and the Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon and LACE, Los Angeles. She was a recipient of grants for collaborative performance and installation works from Oregon and Seattle Arts Commissions and The National Endowment for the Arts. She also founded and directed several Los Angeles galleries and was photo editor at Los Angeles magazine and LA Weekly. Additionally, she was a faculty member at USC and Art Center College of Design, where she continues to consult.
