CLAY

Clay Sinclair is a New Zealand born artist who has made a significant impact on the international art scene with his vibrant and dynamic works. Raised in an artistic environment, Clay was greatly influenced by his father, a renowned landscape artist, which fuelled his passion for creativity from an early age.

Early Life and Transition to Art

Clay’s journey to becoming an artist was not straightforward. After moving to the UK in 1996 and meeting and marrying Milly, he initially worked as a civil engineer. Despite his professional success, Clay found himself feeling unfulfilled and depressed. This dissatisfaction with his career led him to pursue his true passion for art.

Artistic Career

Clay’s artistic career began humbly, selling his work off the railings of Hyde Park. His talent and determination quickly propelled him to greater heights, leading to exhibitions at international art fairs and prestigious London galleries. His work garnered attention for its bold, expressive style, philosophical explorations and unique technique of painting in reverse on to sheets of clear acrylic.

In 2015 Clay moved to Stroud, Gloucestershire, a town full of artists, poets, actors, musicians and revolutionaries. He soon opened his own gallery, which became a hub for artistic innovation and community engagement through his tongue in cheek creation ‘The People’s Republic of Stroud’. 

In 2020, he decided to close the gallery to focus more intensively on his artistic practice. 

Recent Work

In 2021, Clay embarked on a new artistic journey initially with a series of raw art pieces titled “Pop Expressionism.” This series marked a bold evolution in his style, characterized by its energetic and vibrant approach exploring issues around vulnerability and the unconscious.  

Presently Clay is exploring the unconscious further my incorporating Musou fabric into his art. It is the world’s blackest fabric and absorbs 99.9% of all light. By combing geometric shape and colour with his philosophical observations he is creating art that engages, enlightens and opens the door to depth.  

His desire is to create art that is not only viewed, but experienced.

Exhibitions

Clay’s work has been featured in several notable exhibitions, including:

• Four solo exhibitions at Woolff Gallery London 
• Two solo exhibitions Gallery 27, Cork Street, London
• International Art Fairs in Miami, New York, Chicago, Shanghai, Toronto, London, The Hamptons, San Francisco, Houston and Amsterdam.

Conclusion

Clay Sinclair’s journey from civil engineering to becoming a celebrated artist is a testament to his resilience and passion for creativity. His ability to transform his experiences and emotions into compelling artworks has earned him a place in the contemporary art world. Clay continues to inspire and engage audiences with his bold, passionate and expressive pieces, making a lasting impact on the art community and the world beyond.

Solo Exhibitions:

Feb - Mar 2024, The Sanctuary, Brimscombe Mill, Stroud
Feb -Mar 2016 Woolff Gallery, London
Nov - Dec 2014 Woolff Gallery, London
Oct - Nov 2012 Woolff Gallery, London
Oct - Nov 2010 Woolff Gallery, London
April 2009 La Mezz Gallery, New Zealand
Dec 2008 Gallery27, Cork St London
July 2008 Kensington Gallery, London
Dec 2007 Gallery27, Cork St London

Group Exhibitions:
Nov -Dec 2023 Four For Four, Brunswick Gallery, London

Oct 2023 Saatchi's The Other Art Fair, London

Apr 2023 London Calling, Brunswick Gallery, London

Mar 2023 Saatchi's The Other Art Fair, London

Oct 2022 Saatchi's The Other Art Fair, London

Mar 2022 Saatchi's The Other Art Fair, London

Jan 2016 London Art Fair
Dec 2015 Scope Miami
Jan 2015 London Art Fair
Dec 2014 Art Miami
Sept 2014 Shanghai International Art Fair
May 2014 Art Southampton, NY
Feb 2014 Art Wynwood, Miami
Jan 2014 Palm Beach Art Fair
Jan 2014 London Art Fair
Dec 2013 Art Miami
Oct 2013 Strata, Saatchi Gallery London
Oct 2013 Art Toronto
May 2013 Art Southampton, NY
April 2013 Scope, NY
Jan 2013 Palm Beach Art Fair
Jan 2013 London Art Fair
Dec 2012 Art Miami
Oct 2012 Art Toronto
Aug 2012 Art Houston
May 2012 Art Southampton, NY
Jan 2012 London Art Fair
Nov 2011 Chase Charity Exhibition, RCA, London
Oct 2011 Toronto International Art Fair
Oct 2011 Art London
Aug 2011 Art Houston
April 2011 Art Chicago
May 2011 The Hamptons, NY
Jan 2011 The London Art Fair
Dec 2010 Miami International Art Fair
Oct 2010 Art London
May 2010 NYC
May 2010 Art Chicago
Mar 2010 London AAF
Jan 2010 London Art Fair
Nov 2009 Amsterdam AAF
Oct 2009 Toronto International Art Fair
Oct 2009 Art London
Sept 2009 Utrecht Art Fair
July 2009 Woolff Gallery, London
May 2009 Untitled Art Fair, Chelsea
Jan 2009 Kensington Gallery
Sept 2008 Brighton Art Fair
May 2008 Pulse Exhibition, Oxford
March 2008 Moot Exhibition, London
Oct 2007 Manchester Art Fair