Think Canary Wharf and your brain is more likely to go to cutthroat bankers than young creatives. But just around the corner from that sea of suits is a space that will next week host a group show by three emerging artists working at the intersection of tradition and innovation.

For one week only, SCREW is exhibiting the work of Hetty Douglas, Joe Clarke and Alfie Kungu, three exciting creatives who are all challenging conventional methods of painting and making. Each artist has curated a new selection of works for the show, which will include 3D sculptural pieces and moving image, demonstrating their singular aesthetics that are equally powerful alone as they are when shown together.

We’re speaking with each of the three in the lead up to the show (read our interview with Hetty Douglas here) – second up is Joe Clarke, who uses his work to play with ideas of futurism, balancing digitally inspired aesthetics with fine art and graffiti. Clarke curated the exhibition, and here reflects on the process, his work, and tells us how the physical art landscape has been superseded by the digital age.

Tempe Nakiska: In a few words, how would you describe your art? And how did you originally get into making art?
Joe Clarke: Eclectic, futuristic, digitally influenced, juxtaposed. I started painting graffiti when I was around fourteen, making art was a natural progression and now I find myself in the studio more than ever. I had a lot of creative people around me and I became inspired and driven. My tutor at college was also really supportive and made me believe I had potential.

TN: What are the key themes you often find yourself exploring within your work? 
JC: Recently I’ve focused on aesthetics and not let concepts get in the way of creating. I can’t force ideas or communicative aspects into my work as it hinders progress. It’s great when a project has strong foundations and a subject to speak on but I think sometimes abstract work can provoke more thought and emotion.

TN: The materials you work with vary hugely, from traditional to more technology-driven. What draws you to the mediums you work with?

JC: Purely visual initially, experimenting with a range of material helps developing a multi-faceted language. Industrial, construction matter appeals to me, themes which create aesthetic consistency. I enjoy the process of juxtaposing imagery.

“I started painting graffiti when I was around fourteen, making art was a natural progression.”

TN: From your own perspective as an artist, how would you describe the young or emerging art scene in London at the moment?

JC: I don’t think location has much importance anymore, the scene is the internet. But there’s a lot of creative individuals doing cool things which is great.

TN: Is it quite a close knit community? Does everyone support or help one another?

JC: I think more could be done in terms of supporting each other. I definitely feel there is a lot of potential to achieve when working collectively.

TN: Do you think that the arts is getting enough government support in the UK?

JC: The government support has been in decline over the last ten years and Brexit has made the future of the UK’s arts, creative industries and cultural education even more uncertain. Brexit is synonymous with isolation but the arts in contrast is about the future, development, creativity, collaboration and openness. However I think that if you’re a strong minded creative person you will find a way to express yourself no matter the circumstance.

TN: How important do you think art is to the general health of society?
JC: Arts and culture has a huge value to people and society. Art enriches lives and impacts our economy, health and wellbeing, society and education.

“I don’t think location has much importance anymore, the art scene is the internet.”

TN: What attracted you to staging this group exhibition, and to the other artists themselves?
JC: It was important when I began curating this show that I worked with artists I admired. Our styles compliment each others whilst we all have a unique creative vision.

TN: Can you run me through the works that are being featured in the exhibition?
JC: I’m presenting a series of canvas paintings which I’ve created them through the manipulation and re-appropriation of a variety of materials. These works are monochromatic. I’m also showing a moving image piece on screen in collaboration with illustrator and animator Ryan Jackson.

TN: Do you like to mostly work alone or in a group environment?
JC: It really depends what it is I am working on. I’m always consulting with different people about ideas and strategies to make things happen but then I can find myself being more productive working alone in the studio. There’re benefits to both.

TN: Could you share a career highlight that stands out as a major moment or experience for you so far?
JC: I prefer to look forward rather than at past achievements, travelling to foreign places to paint murals for different clients is always something I really enjoy.

Screw runs from 15th December at Republic Gallery, East India Dock, 1 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BE 

For more on Joe Clarke head to his Instagram.