AJ Clarke, Artist

03/09/2026

It's always bittersweet when favorite works sell. Portal was special to me for several reasons, not least due to its highly experimental beginnings involving oil and fire, and the wonderful ancient handhammered ring that i found to frame it. So it's sad it won't grace my wall between art shows, amd sweet that I met the lovely couple in Tauranga who now treasure it as much as I did. I'll need another image for my business cards!!!

28/08/2026

Wow. So cool to be in Tauranga for the first Art Show at the Bay Event Centre - such an amazing venue! Come and cast a vote vote for the Pink Top Ten people's choice award ... and maybe even find the artwork your home is waiting for. Such a wide range of amazing art.

28/08/2026

26/08/2026

Our next PINK People’s Choice Award artist is a Nelson-based artist AJ Clarke creating striking layered works in copper, tin, steel, and wood!

Each piece is carefully built by hand, exploring texture, time, and light, while celebrating the unique ways materials age, react, and hold memories.

AJ's current work is a personal rebellion against technology - particularly AI and the perfection of laser-cut processes. Instead, he embraces the beauty of imperfection, craftsmanship, and the unmistakable human touch.

We can’t wait to see what he has created for his award piece! Come along to Mercury Baypark from 28–30 August and see his work for yourself!

26/08/2026

Wow, what a buzz to be selected alongside 9 other superb artists for the Pink people's choice lineup at the Tauranga Art Show this weekend. For once I'm well organized, the cars packed already and the alarm set for 3am tomorrow so we can make the morning ferry trip from Picton. Can't wait.

06/08/2026

Lately I've been painting mood, emotion, energy, colour ... essentially abstract landscapes stripped right back. But I still feel the need at times to say something ... such as with this work which features old partially burnt hardwood and vintage barbed wire. Essentially I've tried to paint ambiguity ... there's a message, but what? Come chat with me about it at the inaugural Tauranga art show end of this month.

03/08/2026

Huge thanks to all the new friends I met at the Auckland art show ... fellow artists, art lovers and buyers, tire-kickers, show organizers, staff, the security guards ... what a great weekend. My best show yet ... after a self-infected tough start involving a midnight drive to Picton, 2.30 am ferry crossing, straight-thru drive to Auckers, and then needing to unpack and setup the Viaduct booth by 4pm. Phew! Now I need to do it all again in 3 weeks!!! Tauranga ... can't wait.

12/05/2026

The Chch Art Show was great, but gee it's good to be back home, in the studio at Blacklist Gallery, and making new works for Auckland in July/August.

09/05/2026

Five and a half days ago I was packing the car for the drive home to Nelson after another awesome Christchurch Art Show. Today, minus the very reasonable 25pc commission, my returns from the show are already in my bank. Thank you John, Kate and team ... so awesome to deal with. Are any other shows, fairs etc so quick and efficient re the payouts?

04/05/2026

Thank you so much lovely Erin ... your support made Chch Art Show special for me. Thanks, too, Clare for thinking to snap a photo with 'Afterglow's new owner.