Clare Leeuwin-Clark

Bluey, 2003
124 x 124.5 oil on canvas

Artist’s Statement

I have always painted. As a child turning squirts of colour into pictures had endless potential. Something that has stayed with me.

My work is figurative and narrative, describing situations, places, and people I am moved by. I like anecdotes, short stories, and things that can appear ephemeral but are really timeless and real. Unplanned, improvised, making do. Unlikely components. All part of life but slightly unexpected. And sometimes funny.

This has resulted in a body of work that covers a myriad of subjects. I have had to be versatile, quietly acknowledging an unlikely coming together of slightly incompatible things.

Since studying painting at the National Art School from 1975-78, I have continued to paint.

In 1979 I left Sydney and have lived regionally ever since. 25 years near Mt Buffalo National Park in Victoria, restoring an old homestead, put me in a remarkable and beautiful place. Most of the time making do and compromise was survival. A profound and wonderful experience that provided endless subject matter.

I have recently moved to Orange in NSW. A whole new world.

I enjoy exhibiting and have had many solo exhibitions.

Occasionally painting a portrait, I have been hung and highly commended twice in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize. I have also been a semi-finalist twice.

Albury Railway Station with Carnations, 2022. 125cm x 100cm oil on canvas

Ian Black, 2017. 125cm x 125cm oil on canvas

Jewel Thieves, 2014. 60cm x 60cm oil on board

Old Snapdragons, 2013. 125cm x 100cm oil on canvas

Clare Leeuwin-Clark C.V.

1975-1978: Studied painting at the National Art School, Sydney

1983: Solo Exhibition, Gambrawatha Gallery, Albury

1994: Solo Exhibition Albury Regional Gallery

1995: Artist in Residence Bishops Lodge, Hay

1996: Solo Exhibition Libby Edwards, Melbourne

1997: Solo Exhibition Charles Hewitt, Sydney

1998: Solo Exhibition Libby Edwards, Melbourne

1999: Solo Exhibition Charles Hewitt, Sydney; Won Charles Sturt Winery Painting Prize

2000: Salon des Refuse, S.H. Irvin Gallery, Sydney

2003: Solo Exhibition Beehive Art Space, Albury

2004: Solo Exhibition Cook’s Hill Gallery, Newcastle; Finalist and highly commended, Doug Moran Portrait Prize; Finalist Fleurieu Biennale, South Australia

2005: Solo Exhibition Cook’s Hill Gallery, Newcastle

2006: Group exhibition Paintbox, Canberra

2007: Finalist and highly commended, Doug Moran Portrait Prize

2008-2018: Private exhibitions

2017: Semi-Finalist Doug Moran Portrait Prize

2019: Finalist Len Fox Award; Semi-Finalist Doug Moran Portrait Prize

2020: Solo exhibition Art Partners Albury