Contemporary Portrait Artist
CLAIRE PHILLIPS
About Claire Phillips
Claire graduated with first class honours in Fine Art - Painting from Northbrook College in Sussex in 2004. She is a member of the Association of Sussex Artists. Her work explores the relationship between artist, subject and viewer and the contribution of each into the creation of a work of art. The subject, although ultimately at the mercy of the artist’s interpretation, inevitably reveals aspects of his character through, for example, the clothes he wears.
The artist acts as director, selecting the subject and composition, and varying paint density and clarity to draw into focus certain areas, while leaving others undefined and insubstantial. This juxtaposition of different visual languages draws the viewer into the physicality of the paint and canvas – the image, although rooted in reality, is not a fact but the creation of artistic rendition.
Finally, although guided by the artist, the remaining contribution to the painting is that of the viewer whose own personal experiences will define his response to, and interpretation of the work.
Claire has exhibited regularly throughout the UK and her work is found in private collections in the UK and Europe. In 2004 she was awarded the Anthony Amies Memorial Prize for Painting. She has shared her working practice and artistic experience with many schools, sixth forms, colleges and art students.
Grants & Awards
August 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
Member of Judging Panel, Association of Sussex Artists Annual Open, Horsham
February 2007
Arts Council England, Individual Grant for the Arts for research trip to USA
August 2005
Awarded Full Membership of Association of Sussex Artists
July 2004
Anthony Amies Memorial Prize for Painting
Exhibitions
Sept 2017
(Solo) Reclaiming Childhood - Face to Face with Child Labour in India, All Saints Church, Lindfield
April 2016
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, Roffey Park Institute
March 2015
(Solo) Reclaiming Childhood - Face to Face with Child Labour in India, Roffey Park Institute
Sept 2015
(Solo) Reclaiming Childhood - Face to Face with Child Labour in India, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
July 2014
(Solo) Reclaiming Childhood - Face to Face with Child Labour in India, Oxo Tower, London
April 2014
(Solo) Reclaiming Childhood - Face to Face with Child Labour in India, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery
March 2013
It's All About Painting!, Littlehampton Museum, Littlehampton
January 2012
(Solo) The Revealing World of Claire Phillips, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery
November 2009
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
November 2009
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, Lewis Elton Gallery, University of Surrey
August 2009
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, The Capitol, Horsham
July 2009
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, Oxo Tower, London
March 2009
(Solo) The Human Face of Death Row, Otter Gallery, University of Chichester
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Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi, speaking at Claire's exhibition at the Oxo Tower, London in 2014
November 2007
Chichester Open 2007, Chichester
February 2006
Take Five, Worthing Museum, Worthing, West Sussex
October 2005
Four, Oxmarket Centre for Arts, Chichester
September 2005
(Solo) St. Michael's Church, Partridge Green, West Sussex
August 2005
Association of Sussex Artists Annual Open, Horsham (runner-up in visitors choice award)
April 2005
(Solo) Three Dimensions, C.B. Dixey, Horsham
November 2004
Chichester Open 2004, Chichester
September 2004
(Solo) Life Force, Pennthorpe School, Rudgewick, West Sussex
July 2004
Winner of Anthony Amies Memorial Prize for Painting
July 2004
Free-Range, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
June 2004
Twenty Five, Union Place Gallery, Worthing
May 2002
Northbrook College, Worthing Library, Worthing
February 2002
Reveal, Union Place Gallery, Worthing
August 1998
Association of Sussex Artists Annual Open, Horsham