RWKC 8742 Colleen Welch 6-09

Going toward the sunset is one of any accomplished photographer’s favorite themes. Robert WK Clark is no exception. While his “Sunset Series” still features nude models in various suggestive and playful poses, such photographs are different from the rest of his works in such a way that women’s silhouettes are featured, rather than the display of legs and breasts. The Sunset Series is essentially a modest series, compared to Clark’s other works. One photograph in the Sunset Series is modeled by Colleen Welch and was created on June 2009 in White Sands, New Mexico. This particular photograph is different, as Colleen is fully clothed.  The photograph describes the model veering away from the camera in a flowing sundress, her hair billowing in the wind, and the New Mexico Mountains and setting sun are in the background. The sun is cleverly positioned in front of her so as to allow part of the sun to shimmer through her dress. Every photograph in the Sunset Series is self-explanatory. The Welch photograph means that there is a time that one reaches the end of his or her journey and must ride into the sunset. The message of the photograph is to embrace life to the fullest.

The flowing dress means openness, that when one rides into the twilight years, one should not be afraid of the things that go his or her way. During the twilight years, one should embrace life and enjoy the remainder of it. There is not much that one can do in later years; however, with the little activities left, one should tackle them with a gusto and verve that were absent when one was younger. The mountains mean home and, during the twilight years, one yearns for home – a good place to rest.  This is one of Robert WK Clark’s most solemn pieces.  It is a wonderful addition to any public or private interior space. Its monochromatic hues are a perfect fit to any contemporary setting. This photograph is not an intimidating. Rather, it suggests calm, fading light, and not minding the pressures of life. In all, this is one of Robert WK Clark’s finest works in his Sunset Series.

© Robert WK Clark