Philip Clairmont

1949 - 1984

Quick facts

  • Top 3 works: Vase of chrysanthemums
  • Works on this site: 1
  • Nationality: New Zealand
  • Top-ranked work: Vase of chrysanthemums
  • Born: 1949, Nelson, New Zealand
  • Copyright status: Under copyright

Life and Artistic Journey

Born in Nelson, New Zealand, Philip Clairmont studied at the Canterbury School of Fine Arts, graduating in 1970 after training under Rudolf Gopas and Doris Lusk. His life was marked by several moves, including time in Waikanae and Wellington, before his final move to Auckland in 1977. Throughout his career, he was represented by various dealer galleries in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, such as the Bett-Duncan Gallery and the Closet Artists Gallery. He was known for his drawing and print-making abilities, and his work was featured in several exhibitions, including a survey show organized by the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui. In 1984, he was featured in the exhibition Anxious Images: Aspects of New Zealand Art at the Auckland City Art Gallery.

Style and Subject Matter

Clairmont's work is often classified as expressionist or neo-expressionist, characterized by the use of strong colours and distorted forms. His paintings frequently utilized domestic interiors as subject matter. His early work tended to be focused and detailed, while during his final decade, his work showed a tendency to become looser and less intense. His repertoire included various series, such as Mirrors and Wardrobes, and notable works include:

Questions & Answers

Which artworks by Philip Clairmont are the most viewed?

A Stats page exists for Philip Clairmont, presenting statistics about the artist's artworks on this website.

How do I find works by Philip Clairmont in a specific palette?

Philip Clairmont's works can be browsed by color palette on the artist's By Palettes page.

Where are Philip Clairmont's artworks grouped by technique?

The All Medium page groups Philip Clairmont's artworks by technique.

Can I study Philip Clairmont's use of color across all works?

The Palette Genome of Philip Clairmont is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.

Quick quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Philip Clairmont born?
Question 2:
Under which two artists did Clairmont study in Christchurch?
Question 3:
Which artist's work, along with Francis Bacon, informed Clairmont's work?
Question 4:
In which year did Clairmont receive a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council grant?
Question 5:
Which series of works did Clairmont exhibit in 1976?