Artist profile
Martina
Clarke
Martina Clarke is a contemporary artist based in Brisbane, working primarily in oil painting. Her practice spans portraiture, landscape, and still life, grounded in a realist style that occasionally ventures into the surreal.
With a strong emphasis on narrative, Clarke’s work invites viewers to engage with deeper emotional and psychological layers.
Whether capturing the subtleties of a human expression or the atmosphere of a landscape, her paintings are driven by a deep curiosity for storytelling through visual form. By blending technical precision with symbolic undertones, Clarke creates spaces that feel both familiar and enigmatic.
Career Highlights
- Brisbane Portrait Prize Emerging Artist Grant and Award
- Brisbane Portrait Prize Peoples Choice Award
- Gold Coast City Council 3 Month Funded Artists Residency and professional development
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I’ve always loved working with oil paint — it’s such a responsive medium, especially when it comes to capturing the human figure and natural landscapes. There’s a depth and flexibility to it that just suits the way I like to work.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
My process usually starts with a lot of research — I’ll look at real-life references, revisit old ideas, and dive into things like mythology and ancient art. I tend to rework concepts over time, letting them evolve. From there, I’ll develop studies and sketches before committing to a final piece. It’s a slow build, but it helps the work feel more layered and intentional.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
My studio’s pretty organised — everything has its place, which helps me focus. I’ve got a lot of little knick-knacks and reference objects around, including sculptures I use for painting studies. It’s a space that’s both practical and personal, full of things that feed into the work.
