Clive Humphreys MFA Supervisor

Photograph of Clive Humphries in his studio.
Clive Humphries in his Studio

Everything in its Right Place

Most arguments conducted in any language tend to revert, ultimately, to an argument about that language.

During the last five years my research has consistently developed around the potentials and problems of pictorial composition and its various strategies for engagement of the viewer. As a teacher of textiles, I have had a long interest in the language of pattern (based very strongly on the unit of the mirror image) and have set out to test those aspects of textile language more usually associated with the “decorative” arts in a quite different context. Of course, the formal devices of composition cannot exist in some disembodied state, and I have used this “decorative” grammar to excavate some darker, metaphysical spaces, particularly the shallow, claustrophobic space of the glass cabinet within the museum.
 
Initially this exploration looked most strongly at the lateral notions of repeat across the picture plane that, more recently, I have been examining in terms of a front to back spatial depth that doesn't rely on constructed perspective.
 
History is the trajectory that carries us into a projected future and is therefore always implicated in some essential way in all my painting, both in its method and its reading. I have never seen my own research practice as a series of discrete projects but rather as a set of fundamental concerns that overlap, backtrack and become visible outcomes in relation to each other over a period of time.

Recently I have completed paintings that move away quite substantially from mirror patterning and deal more with pictorial space in terms of modulated densities. It is the visual equivalent of taking the gathered elements from previous paintings and casting them into deep space.

This recent departure may well establish itself as a pivotal moment.

Recent Work

The Chandlier (2004). Acrylic on canvas, 160cmx160cm.
Democracy-Mickey takes an in depth look (2004-05). Acrylic on canvas, 152cmx213cm.
Genesis-In the beginning Mickey begat Mickey (2005-06). Acrylic on canvas, 152cmx213cm.
Milky Way (2007). Acylic on canvas, 162cmx162cm.

Major Exhibitions and Awards Since 1992

  • The Bending - solo exhibition of paintings, serigraphs and monoprints
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland.
    1992
  • Lap - solo exhibition of paintings and serigraphs
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland.
    1993
  • Crescent - solo exhibition of paintings
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland
    1995
  • After the Cinema -  solo exhibition of paintings               
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland.
    1996
  • Winner Cleveland Art Awards – Painting
    Winner Cleveland Art Awards – Works on Paper 
    1997
  • The Commemorative Exhibition - group exhibition of new acquisitions to mark 150th anniversary of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society    
    Dunedin Public Art Gallery     
    1998
  • From the Four Rivers of Paradise - a survey exhibition of paintings 93-98   
    The Community Gallery, Dunedin.
    1998
  • Call it a Loan - The collection of Patricia Bosshard-Browne               
    Dunedin Public Art Gallery
    1998
  • From the Four Rivers of Paradise - a survey exhibition of paintings 93-99
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland.
    1999
  • The Animated Reader - an exhibition of paintings from 2000-2002
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland.
    2002
  • Behind Giotto’s Curtain - an exhibition of paintings from 2000-2004
    The Peter Rae Gallery, Dunedin
    2004
  • Behind Giotto’s Curtain - an exhibition of paintings from 2002-2004
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland
    2004

Upcoming Exhibitions

  • Everything in its Right Place - an exhibition of paintings 2005-2008
    The Lane Gallery, Auckland
    2008 (opens October 21)
  • Sheet Music (for Cheryl) - an exhibition of paintings and objects
    Otago Museum (the Animal Attic)
    2009

Links

A detailed academic profile and list of research publications can be found here.

Contact

Dunedin School of Art