Claire Steele
ARTIST STATEMENT I graduated from Bath Spa University, UK, in 1997 with a BA (Hons) Fine Art - Painting and emigrated to Australia in 2002. It was only in 2009 that I dedicated more time to my work. Currently my work is contemporary portraiture. Often the images are emotionally confronting based on themes of social disconnection in society. Themes such as loneliness and isolation are explored. They are very much based on my philosophy of treating others as equals and the importance of understanding, compassion and empathy. The portraits aim to engage with this universality rather than just telling a story of the subject. However, each subject has their story and through my listening to them, I have painted the portraits. I found that the more dramatic and melancholic the imagery, the more personal and instant emotional response was ignited for the viewer. My paintwork is also important to gain this response. I use positive and negative space, colours in flesh and painterly brushwork all quite representational of the subjects, which aim to pull the viewer in, to also engage with the brushwork and paint. Comments on my work have included, 'arresting', 'sad yet beautiful', 'arouses sympathy', 'sensual', 'confronting imagery but pulls the viewer in', 'I saw it and cried', 'real'. Claire will next be exhibiting as part of an invitation only group exhibition 'Painting 2010',at Melbourne's Brunswick Street Gallery opening early July 2010.  Curriculum VitaeExhibitions
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