Bob Carlos Clarke
Encyclopedia
Robert Carlos Clarke was an Irish
photographer, known for his highly stylised erotic imagery.
In 1970, Clarke studied graphics at the West Sussex College of Art. Later, he received an MA
from the Royal College of Art
. Carlos Clarke photographed celebrities such as Keith Richards
, Dita Von Teese
, Caprice
, Marco Pierre White
and Rachel Weisz
; many of these were his friends and acquaintances, some of them through his agent Ghislain Pascal, who represented some of his clients. He was also, for many years, very good friends with the late Lord Patrick Lichfield. During an interview with those who knew him, including his second wife Lindsay and agent for the August 2008 issue of Professional Photographer, it was said that Lichfield's death affected Clarke badly.
After many years of suffering from severe clinical depression
, Carlos Clarke committed suicide
in London
: he left the Priory
clinic where he had been receiving treatment and walked to a railway line in Barnes, where he stepped in front of a passenger train travelling from Windsor to Waterloo. He was subsequently given a humanist
funeral service prior to burial at Brompton Cemetery
.
Clarke was married twice and had one daughter, Scarlett Carlos Clarke, with his second wife Lindsey, an ex-model whom he met at a photoshoot. Just prior to his death, Carlos Clarke was working on a permanent exhibition titled Dark Genius for White's London restaurant named Luciano. Following his suicide, it was left to his wife and agent Pascal to complete the work.
He produced five books during his career: The Illustrated Delta of Venus (1979), Obsession (1981), The Dark Summer (1985), White Heat (with Marco Pierre White, 1990), and Shooting Sex (2003).
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
photographer, known for his highly stylised erotic imagery.
In 1970, Clarke studied graphics at the West Sussex College of Art. Later, he received an MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
. Carlos Clarke photographed celebrities such as Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
, Caprice
Caprice Bourret
Caprice Bourret is an American supermodel, actress, television personality and businesswoman. She currently resides in the United Kingdom where she runs her company By Caprice Lingerie Ltd.- Early life :...
, Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality. He is noted for his contributions to contemporary international cuisine, and his exceptional culinary skills....
and Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Hannah Weisz born 7 March 1970)is an English-American film and theatre actress and former fashion model. She started her acting career at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where she co-founded the theatrical group Cambridge Talking Tongues...
; many of these were his friends and acquaintances, some of them through his agent Ghislain Pascal, who represented some of his clients. He was also, for many years, very good friends with the late Lord Patrick Lichfield. During an interview with those who knew him, including his second wife Lindsay and agent for the August 2008 issue of Professional Photographer, it was said that Lichfield's death affected Clarke badly.
After many years of suffering from severe clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, Carlos Clarke committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
: he left the Priory
Priory Group
The Priory Group is an independent provider of mental health care facilities in the United Kingdom. They also manage schools, some for students with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism...
clinic where he had been receiving treatment and walked to a railway line in Barnes, where he stepped in front of a passenger train travelling from Windsor to Waterloo. He was subsequently given a humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
funeral service prior to burial at Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
.
Clarke was married twice and had one daughter, Scarlett Carlos Clarke, with his second wife Lindsey, an ex-model whom he met at a photoshoot. Just prior to his death, Carlos Clarke was working on a permanent exhibition titled Dark Genius for White's London restaurant named Luciano. Following his suicide, it was left to his wife and agent Pascal to complete the work.
He produced five books during his career: The Illustrated Delta of Venus (1979), Obsession (1981), The Dark Summer (1985), White Heat (with Marco Pierre White, 1990), and Shooting Sex (2003).
Further reading
- Exposure: The Unusual Life and Violent Death of Bob Carlos Clarke by Simon GarfieldSimon GarfieldSimon Frank Garfield is a British journalist and non-fiction author. He was educated at the independent University College School in Hampstead, London, and the London School of Economics, where he was the Executive Editor of The Beaver....