Liam Ashley Clark

[liamashleyclark]

I Didn’t Think We’d Have To Fight The Nazis

Acrylic on Canvas

60 x 90cm

2025

I painted this work in June 2025 to be part of my exhibition 'I Paints What I Sees, Sometimes I Paints The Future', although it was a reworking of an earlier painting from my show 'Some Reasons Why Things Have Become Horrible and Evil.

The most recent show was intended to have work which both reflected the current world and also possibly predicted the future, in the same way The Simpsons is often said to.

When I made the original painting the far right were gaining momentum across western politics, and when thinking about work for my last show it felt I could update my original idea.

In the past few weeks the work has become much more relevant and potentially even divisive, but it's strangely become another painting of mine which does seem to have alluded to future events.

This image is a re-working of a painting I made in 2019 with the same text and title. Since then though it seems that the far-right have taken even greater strides into mainstream view. Elon Musk, amongst others, did a Nazi salute, Kanye claimed he was a Nazi and many elections across the west saw a rise in popularity for the right. I wanted to remake this painting, not only to draw attention to some of the major influential figures in the far right and where they’re beliefs really lie, but also for the relevance of this text. It seems to me that these figures often reference World War II or talk of the toughness, or endurance of what is known as the ‘Greatest Generation’, however their actual views would fall much more in line with the facists that this generation, including my own Grandad fought against.

The work features U.S. president Donald Trump, reform party leader Nigel Farage, X and Tesla owner Elon Musk, far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson), Imperial Wizard of the KKK Thomas Robb, media executive and former investment banker Steve Bannon, German far-right politician Alice Weidel, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, far-right radio show host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, neo-Nazi, antisemitic conspiracy theorist and white supremacist Richard B. Spencer, far-right commentator and founder of the Proud Boys Gavin McInnes and rapper Kanye West.

[liamashleyclark]

Social Media Bots

Acrylic on Canvas

60 x 90cm

2025

This image is painted in the style of a Simpsons meme, and references a clip from Season 4 of the show. Episode 21; Marge in Chains aired in 1993 and features a line said by the family’s budget lawyer Lionel Hutz. He states “Can You Imagine A World Without Lawyers?” whilst imagining a world where everyone is holding hands, dancing in peace under a smiling sun, before shuddering in disgust.

In true meme format I have taken this image and the text as a jumping off point for a work about the increasing prevalence of both bots and AI on social media. As a visual artist it has become essential to use these platforms to present my work, however in recent years its become more and more difficult to fight bots, AI images and promoted content to get your own works seen, even by those who already follow you.

In February 2025 it was reported that the most interacted with post on Facebook for the previous month was an AI generated image of a bread horse and its supposed baker, alongside the text “I made every detail with love, but it seems like no one cares”. The comment section is filled with those calling out the AI nonsense from a page called ‘Faithful’ however there’s also more than a fair share of those offering their condolences to the ‘baker’ with no ability to determine the image as a fake.

Alongside AI’s ability to deceive audiences for no other reason than to generate interactions, bots are used to data farm and have entered almost every aspect of any online experience, often negatively. Major concert tickets sell out to bots ran by re-sellers, the same happening to any popular product, from Nike releases to more recently Pop Mart’s Labubu’s.

This image comes from my own idea that the increasing use of bots will eventually lead there to be interactions solely between bots, something that I’m sure already happens, but eventually losing all human interaction. Overall I do see mainly positives from a world which can use social media as a great tool, but in moments of frustration at trying to reach audiences sometimes I think I’d prefer to exist in a pre-digital art world.

[liamashleyclark]

Madonna and Child and Genocide

Acrylic and Spray Paint on Canvas

60 x 70cm

2025

Having previously made the ‘Wake Up, A House on the Beach is Not a Dream’ painting I wanted to continue to make work, not just about Gaza but about the UK, US and other European countries complicity in the genocide by allowing arms sales to continue to Israel. Whilst searching for images I found a photo appearing on a variety of news outlets sites.

The image taken by photojournalist Omar El Qattaa was shared on his own Instagram on July 23rd alongside this caption; “Naeema, a 30-year-old Palestinian mother, carries her malnourished 2-year-old son Yazan as they stand in their damaged home in the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. More than 100 aid organizations and human rights groups warned on Wednesday that “mass starvation” was spreading in Gaza, as the United States said its top envoy was heading to Europe for talks on a possible Ceasefire and Aid Corridor.”

I immediately drew a visual similarity in the photo and images of Madonna and Child from a huge array of Christian artworks throughout history. These images show the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, a comparison which seems especially relevant when considering the location of Bethlehem is in the West Bank, Palestine.

[liamashleyclark]

42 Faces (Purple & Green)

Screen Print - Edition of 30, signed and numbered

Two colour screen print onto Woodstock Betulla 270gsm Printed in Norwich with Well Nice Prints Each one of these screen prints is unique, working directly onto the screen to create a special mono printed base layer in green and purple ink before a charcoal black layer of detail is added over the top.

Available here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4295104133/42-faces-purple-green-screenprint?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1&logging_key=6beb23a58f019e7786e3a26e723610294247f091%3A4295104133

[liamashleyclark]

Prints, t-shirts, tote bags, photo books, zines and other small multiples are all available on my Etsy.

LiamAshleyClark - Etsy UK

Shop Bloomberg New Contemporary & Saatchi Art Rising Star by LiamAshleyClark located in Norwich, England.

[liamashleyclark]

Wake Up, A House On The Beach Is Not A Dream

Acrylic on Wood

87 x 61cm

2024

This work is part of the @art4afreepalestine show which opens at @limbomargate tonight, and will be available in an online auction raising money for @gazasunbirds and @gabusittahchildrensfund

In December 2023 an Israeli estate agents shared an image online of proposed developments along the Gaza Strip, with the accompanying text “Wake up, a house on the beach is not a dream’. The image was soon removed after backlash in the media, with the company admitting it was not a real plan and the owner claiming that it was “somewhere between a joke and wishful thinking”.

This painting, made to imitate the boards around a construction site takes influence from this social media ‘joke’, with windows into the site showing images of the current genocide accompanied by logos of weapons manufacturers mainly based in the UK and US which still supply Israel with arms.

https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/detail/auction_id/resistanceartforafreepalestine1?search=

[liamashleyclark]

Modern Life Is Rubbish

A few copies of my photo book featuring 35mm shots taken between 2010 and 2020 are still available over on my Etsy!

Modern Life Is Rubbish Self-published perfect bound 116 page photo-book, signed, edition of 30. Published in 2023. As a teenager I spent mos

[liamashleyclark]

False Memory Syndrome Vs Recovered Memories

127 x 89cm

Acrylic, paper, spray paint, wood, mount board, nails

2024

If you were around in the late 80's / early 90's you may recall Walkers crisps switching the colours of their Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion flavours. It's such a common belief that most Brits of a certain age say they can remember this happening, however it never did. At least according to the company itself. Its such a common query that Walkers even have a section on their FAQs page for it. They say "Our Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion flavour crisps packs have always been the colours they are today. Contrary to popular belief, we've never swapped the colours around, not even temporarily." Despite this statement hundreds, if not thousands, remember the switch, including Walkers own spokesperson Gary Lineker. The denial of the change has elicited newspaper articles, online threads, TV jokes and even a podcast; 2020's The Walkers Switch. Either the switch is part of a deeper crisp-based conspiracy or an example of the inconsistencies of collective memory, a false memory, the Mandela effect.

The Mandela effect was a term coined by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome, who had detailed memories of Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980's, despite living until 2013. The internet is filled with examples of the Mandela effect occurring to people from all over the world. They include incorrectly remembered movie lines, TV show names and brand logos. Broome has speculated that the phenomenon could be evidence of parallel realities, however scientists suggest that these false memories are often shaped by similar cognitive factors affecting multiple people, such as social and cognitive reinforcement of incorrect memories, or false information, such as misleading photographs.

False Memory Syndrome Vs Recovered Memories was the title of a unit in my A Level psychology class, and one of my first introductions into studying memory, its inconsistencies and how often it is unreliable. I've always been interested in memory, I have good recall for facts and information, l've made drawings about it in the past. In recent years I've become interested in collective memory, especially in reference to political and social history. Philosopher, poet, novelist George Santayana wrote his well quoted line "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" in 1905. When I think about this line currently I think of the return of once eradicated diseases, fuelled by the anti-vax conspiracy movement, from people who have no memory of the devastation of such diseases prior to the availability of vaccines. I also think though, about areas of history which are not forgotten, but sometimes misremembered. In recent years we've seen a rise in right-wing ideologies, which have included various groups using Nazi symbols across Europe and the US. It should be concerning that perhaps World War Two is currently being misremembered, not as a fight against Fascism and nationalism, but as a show of Western strength against socialist ideologies. This incorrect reframing is perhaps politically fuelled, and is becoming difficult to break down. Perhaps the past is not only repeated by those who cannot remember, but also by those whose memories have been changed, whether accidentally or intentionally.

[liamashleyclark]

MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH

Edition of 30, signed and numbered

Self-published

116 pages, perfect bound

2023

Towards the end of last summer I made this photo book, which I have been selling at shows and events and have now finally got around to making it available to buy online.

The book contains a ton of my favourite 35mm shots taken between 2010 - 2020. I began taking photos through skating, just documenting my friends and our skate crew, but I began shooting film after my uncle gave me his old camera when I started art school, and since then I haven’t stopped.

I shoot anything and everything that catches my attention in the street, and over time various themes and interests have emerged, which I have now become more considerate of. The book is largely in chronological order, with a little curation over the pages and includes a small piece of text about photography as part of my practice.

Head over to my Etsy shop to grab a copy!!!

Modern Life Is Rubbish Self-published perfect bound 116 page photo-book, signed, edition of 30. Published in 2023. As a teenager I spent mos

[liamashleyclark]

I’m now People Of Print member!!! You can check out my profile over on their site, link is in my bio. I’ll be adding more stuff to my profile asap!

[liamashleyclark]

Four of my painting works are now available as super limited, high quality giclee prints through Artvocate!!

Artvocate is a relatively new platform which aims to connect art and activism. Print prices include donations to relevant charities which are selected by the artist, head over to their website to read more about their work and check out the available artworks.

[liamashleyclark]

I produced the work for this print a while ago, but never got round to sharing it. It’s part of a collaborative risograph series featuring all of the artists from Studio Pony, printed by and sold through Raum Für Illustration. I believe it’s available through their shop in Hamburg, I may also have some for sale in the future.

[liamashleyclark]

Some photos of my work in @norwichshoe as part of the @unconsumed.theshoefactory exhibition earlier this month. Cheers to @erodwellart and @georgiagreenart for organising the show! #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #painting #design #ink #brainpuke #brainpukezine #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #supportindependent #norwich #norfolk #norwichart #norwichartist #norfolkartist #artshow #exhbition #artexhibition (at The Shoe Factory Social Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGzHG0jh9Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[liamashleyclark]

These are the pages of the photocopy zine of drawings of memories of my Grandad. #zine #art #drawing #memorial #memory #grandad #grandadjohn #ipswich #family https://www.instagram.com/p/CpdtG1Mjrno/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[liamashleyclark]

At the start of last month I lost my Grandad. It was, of course, a huge loss for our family, so I wanted to share some memories and images of him. Text in comments… #grandad #grandadjohn #family #memorial #photos #35mm https://www.instagram.com/p/CpbV6rrjPll/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[liamashleyclark]

I’ve got some works in this show which opens in a couple of weeks! There’s loads of East Anglian based artists in it so it will definitely be worth checking out! Follow @unconsumed.theshoefactory to keep updated, and thanks to @erodwellart and @georgiagreenart for organising! #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #drawing #design #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #supportindependent #norwich #norfolk #norwichart #norwichartist #norfolkartist #exhibition #artexhibition #artshow (at The Shoe Factory Social Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co25XoFjxF9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[liamashleyclark]

Tote bags also now online!!! #art #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #drawing #design #ink #brainpuke #brainpukezine #print #screenprint #screenprinting #shop #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #supportindependent #norwich #norfolk #norwichart #norwichartist #norfolkartist #tote #totebag #bagforlife #tired https://www.instagram.com/p/CoBcEEdIuya/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=