The late painter Philip Clairmont blazed a brilliant, dazzling trail across the Aotearoa New Zealand art scene of the 1970s.
Known for his expressionistic, hallucinogenic-like animation of his psyche and the domestic spaces around him, Clairmont's bold paintings were enormously popular and acquired by public collections up and down the country. Clairmont was considered by many as the archetypal wild, tortured bohemian figure.
The artist took his own life aged 35 in 1984.
Yet in recent decades Philip Clairmont's colourful paintings haven't been seen so much. Now, for the first time in 30 years, there's a solo exhibition of Philip Clairmont's work. Windows has just opened in Auckland city at Gow Langsford Gallery.
Orlando Clairmont was only four when his father died.
And, as is so often the case when great artists die young, Orlando has had to deal with not just the loss of a father but a brilliant legacy.
Orlando produced a documentary about his father in 2007, Clairmont on Clairmont where he dealt with the shadow his dad's loss left. Now, managing the estate, he is set on bringing the art back into the light.
Windows is at Gow Langsford Gallery until October 18. Documentary Clairmont on Clairmont has been made available here for free online for a limited period.
