Clare Thatcher

Clare Thatcher is a figurative artist living and working in Bristol, UK, with painting and drawing at the heart of her practice. Clare paints landscape features inspired by locations that have had a profound effect on her, taking influence from the idea of liminal space. With a particular focus on tidal and coastal areas, Clare produces soft-hued, multi-textural scenes that capture the ever-changing nature of landscapes and translate the intense, visceral experience of natural wonders.

Clare Thatcher’s Early Career, Style and Inspiration

Clare studied Drawing and Applied Arts at University the West of England, gaining a First Class BA Honours Degree. She then studied at Bath Spa University, graduating with an MA Fine Arts Degree in 2015. Clare roots her practice in highly personal and emotional encounters with the natural world, evoking a strong, felt response in return. Central to her practice is the use of pure colour that she makes from pigment. Using pigment in its pure form allows her to achieve what she calls a “pure colour hit”. These pigments are then layered to create a rugged, uneven surface; crevices and canyons for the eye to explore on the canvas. Clare typically uses a limited colour palette with minimalist features and detail, manifesting a quiet yet reverent beauty.

Exhibitions and Awards

Clare has been shortlisted for several revered prizes, including Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) 2024, the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2023 & 26, Society of Women Artists 2021, Beep Painting Prize Biennial 2020 & 2022, Jackson's Open Painting Prize 2019 & 2023 and John Moores Painting Prize 2018, amongst others. Clare has undertaken residencies in Scalloway, Shetland 2024 & 2026, Barreiro, Portugal 2019 and Helsinki, Finland 2013. Clare has exhibited her works in the USA, UK and across Europe. Currently showcasing her work as part of Soho Home X Rise Art collection in London, Oxfordshire & Los Angeles. Clare was selected for the Academician Candidate Exhibition at the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol in 2019 & 2023. She is also co-founder of CLaSH Art Space Bristol, where she has a studio. Clare was the third prize winner of the London Sunny art prize in 2022.