Candy Clarke will return to KOAST – Tai Tokerau Art Trail 2025 as a guest artist, showcasing her distinctive paintings this Labour Weekend at Kingston House in Kerikeri.
Clarke, who grew up in Kerikeri and is now based in Nelson, has developed a practice that is as recognisable as it is playful. Her signature technique, painting in reverse on Perspex, began as an accident more than twenty years ago and has since become her hallmark.
By working backwards on clear acrylic sheets, she achieves a luminous depth that makes her colours sing and her imagery glow from beneath the surface.
Her work moves easily between abstraction and narrative, often incorporating words and phrases from everyday life, fragments of songs, catchphrases, and overheard conversations.
These become bold design elements or subtle asides within her compositions, adding humour and layered meaning.
“Through bold colour, sharp design elements and a sly sense of irony, I reflect on contemporary life and gently poke fun at the quirks of human behaviour,” she said.
“The result is art that is bright, witty and impossible to ignore.”
A graduate of the Dunedin School of Art and NMIT in Nelson, Clarke has refined a style that is both contemporary and unmistakably her own, with work collected and admired across New Zealand.
“Having Candy Clarke as a guest artist is one of the highlights of this year’s trail,” said Bay of Islands Creative Charitable Chair Bruce MacGregor.
“She grew up here in Kerikeri, and welcoming her back with work that has gained such wide recognition is very special. Visitors can expect paintings that are vibrant, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.”
Visitors can view Candy Clarke’s work during KOAST at Kingston House, Kerikeri, Location 37 in the Trail Guide from Friday 24 – Monday 27 October 2025.
