Greer Clayton
Resides Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
My Heritage Expedition trip to the Subantarctic Islands, back in 2019, inspired a profound shift in my painting technique with a focus not on topographical representation but capturing the essence of place.
I developed a layering technique that started with small works and developed into larger scale pieces where the works focused on light through abstracted landforms, offering a hint of what is real and what is mystical and felt.
For the Southward exhibition I wanted Journey’s End in a circular format to represent the porthole on the boat where I gazed out into the ocean waters as we headed to land, our first island being Campbells. Focusing through a more circular lens to pull the viewer into the landscape, the colour palette also playing an important role to engage the ‘mood’ and ‘feel’ of the place.
It was an incredible experience that certainly changed my thinking and appreciation of this remote and special part of New Zealand and I am forever grateful to Sarah, Aaron and the team for the opportunity which continues to inspire and inform my work.
Greer Clayton was born and raised in Dunedin, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts, after which she travelled extensively and exhibited in Sydney, London and Scotland. Greer is represented by Parnell Gallery.