Fiona Barrett-Clark
Australian landscape painter Fiona Barrett-Clark’s work concerns travel. The curve of the road, the smell of rain, drought and the sound of a spring storm. The paintings are void of people, though not of human presence. There is a sense of déjà vu. Her focus is upon the sky and clouds and the transformative effect they have upon the land and the sea.
Barrett-Clark achieved an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts from The Sydney Gallery School and has exhibited extensively for over a decade. With solo shows at Dungog Contemporary, The Corner Store Gallery, Orange, Breathing Colours, Balmain and Level Gallery, Newtown. A winner of the Smaller Works Prize at the 2017 Hunters Hill Art Prize and a Finalist (commended) at the 2015 Hawkesbury Art Prize. Barrett-Clark has also been a finalist at the Glover, Belle, St George, Parramatta and Little Things art prizes. Fiona’s exceptional work has recently been featured in Amber Creswell Bell’s 2018 publication “A Painted Landscape” A survey of 50 contemporary Australian artist’s who depict the Australian landscape in a variety of mediums.
Working in oil paint upon high grade marine plywood gives feel of analogue photography. The works whilst not being realist, do have a photographic sense to them. The paintings are all inspired by Fiona’s drives around rural Australia, in particular the east coast of NSW and the 300 or so kilometres back out to the western plains of NSW.
