Amy Clarke’s paintings and mixed media works are an expression of her connection to landscape, memory, and lineage. She sees her practice as ‘part play’ where she can tap into childhood memories of making and playing in the Australian bush.
My earliest connection with the natural world was through childhood play. Growing up in the bush in the 1970s did not involve toys. The only toys I recall were a Tonka truck (which I loved!), some Lego and a neglected Barbie doll. I felt in no way deprived. We filled our days playing in the dirt. My paintings are tapping into those feelings and memories. Although my work is abstract, it is always about landscape. It is my belief that the directness of this simple childhood and our daily engagement with nature laid the foundations of me being an artist. We were always making. To me painting is part play. I have access to some incredible National Parks near to where I live including Moreton Island and Double Island Point and they provide the perfect space for creativity and new thoughts. Whenever I can I travel to the bush, often camping under the stars.
I have also completed two residencies at The Corridor Project at Riverslea Station Woolshed which is on the banks of the Lachlan River near Cowra New South Wales. The 2024 residency was a catalyst for a new creative process, the culmination being a new body of work using waxed lined thread and stitching on raw canvas. A new way of expressing, connecting to landscape, memory, family and lineage.
Stitching and collaging onto painted canvas is how I bring together the threads of memory, landscape and connection that run through my work.
Growing up in Western Queensland gave me a deep enduring bond with the bush, one that is inseparable from family and memory. I have been fortunate to pass this on to my own children, especially my son. He is an explorer in the truest sense and now leads me on journeys that stretch me further. His expeditions demand hardiness and courage, offering rare chances to meet the Australian landscape in its rawest form. Sleeping in a swag under an open sky, I encounter both fear and awe in equal measure.
These journeys have become quiet meditations on resilience and on how profoundly children teach their parents. Coming from a family of makers, the physical process of layering and stitching mirrors the way I piece these thoughts together.
Amy’s work can be found in collections around Australia including the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
She has exhibited around the country in solo and group shows including Michael Reid Northern Beaches, CoolArt, Walcha Gallery of Art, Depot Gallery in Sydney, Noosa Regional Gallery, University of Sunshine Coast Art Gallery and Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. She received a Commended in the Norvill Prize (2011/2012) and was a finalist in the Lethbridge 10,000 Art Prize (2013) and Redland Art Prize (2012).
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2026 ‘What binds us’, M2 Gallery, Sydney
2015 ‘Nature Play’, Depot II Gallery, Sydney
2015 ‘Meander’, Wild Canary, Brisbane
2014 ‘Playing with the landscape, Part II’, Toowoomba Regional Gallery
2013 ‘Playing with the landscape’, Noosa Regional Gallery
2012 ‘Terrain’, The Gallery Eumundi
2008 ‘New works’, Berkelouw Books Eumundi
2022 MODERN LOVE, AK Bellinger Gallery
2022 TRIO, Michael Reid Northern Beaches
2022 NEAP ACB Selects, Michael Reid Northern Beaches
2021 MAKERS’ MARKS, Latrobe Artspace, Brisbane
2020 ‘Isolation in the Landscape’, CoolArt, Sunshine Coast
2020 ‘Appetite for Abstraction’, Michael Reid Studio Direct, Sydney
2018 The Landscape Abstracted, University of Sunshine Coast Art Gallery
2017 ‘Figures & Landforms’, Walcha Gallery of Art
2015 ‘My backyard’, Walcha Gallery of Art
2014 ‘Onefourfour’, Melbourne
2013 ‘Return’, Graydon Gallery
2012 ‘Inside & out’, Brunswick Street Gallery
2011 ‘The light & the dark’, Artpiece Gallery
2011 ‘Exchange Exhibition’, Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough, Qld
2011 ‘Exhale’, Cooroy Butter Factory
2010 The Norvill Prize exhibition
2010 African Eulogy, Eumundi, Qld
2009 ‘An Uncertain Landscape’, Doggett Street Gallery
2009 New England Girls’ School Art Show
2008 ‘Little Ladies’, Culture Gallery
2008 New England Girls’ School Art Show
2007 Frances Reilly Gallery, Eumundi, Qld
2007 Mary Place Gallery
2007 Aspects Art Show
2006 Graydon Gallery
2003 Graydon Gallery
2002 Graydon Gallery
Michael Reid Northern Beaches
Studio Gallery
CoolArt
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Australian Abstract by Amber Creswell Bell
The Corridor Project (2019, 2024)
A vivid survey of over forty contemporary Australian abstract painters by curator and bestselling author Amber Creswell Bell.
2026 Hornsby Art Prize (finalist)
2025 John Richardson French Residency (finalist)
2014 The Norvill Prize (finalist)
2013 Lethbridge 10,000 (Finalist)
2013 Aspect Art Prize
2012 Redland Prize (finalist)
2012 The Norvill Prize (Commended)
2011 Aspect Art Prize
2011 The Norvill Prize (Commended)
2009 Arts Queensland Career Development Grant
2014 Post graduate certificate in creative industries, Central Queensland University
2012 Drawing with Peter Sharp, Art Workshops Australia
2011 ‘Natura Morte’ course with Emma Walker, Art Workshops Australia
2010 Drawing (Meaghan Shelton), The Butter Factory, Cooroy
2010 Introduction to printmaking (Meaghan Shelton), The Butter Factory, Cooroy
2008 Patterns of Place (Kim Mahood), Noosa Long Weekend
2003 – 2005 Mixed Media (Pam Cowper), Waverley Woollahra Arts Centre
2003 Experimental Textiles, Willoughby Workshop Arts Centre
2000/2001 Printmaking & Painting weekends (Mieke Cohen/Patrick Shirvington), Riversdale Education Centre, Bundanon, NSW
2001 Painting (Elisabeth Cummings), Willoughby Workshop Arts Centre
1999 Life Drawing (Ross Davis), Willoughby Workshop Arts Centre
Rarely – abstract work is tricky when it comes to commissions because the client’s expectations may not translate into their imagined outcome. The process of creating a good artwork involves an element of serendipity, authentic mark making and a certain amount of mystery – even to me. These things can be compromised if the brief is too tight. If you are prepared to give me artistic freedom and not dictate colours etc I am happy to talk.
I am always open to exciting opportunities. Please get in touch.
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I work on multiple pieces at once so this is a difficult question to answer! The stitch works are labour intensive and take many, many hours to resolve.
My studio is open by appointment. Please email me to make an appointment.
My works are signed and dated on the back.
Yes.
I host occasional workshops in my studio in Eumundi. To register your interest please subscribe here.
Artist residencies are a current goal of mine, especially international programs that immerse me in a different culture and align with my abstract practice.
The best way to stay up to date is to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram @amyclarkeartist
I invite you to connect with me for inquiries about my artwork, exhibitions, or any other related interests. Feel free to reach out to explore my art or discuss potential collaborations!
