b. 1977
The sculpture of Eddie Clemens is smart and cool with all the appeal of mass-produced commodities. His style is defined by its industrial processes, candy-coated surfaces and wry observations of popular culture. But what has propelled Clemens to national attention, is his uncanny ability to turn the everyday into social weaponry with destabilising effect.
In a highly competitive art world, Eddie has distinguished himself on several fronts. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Sculpture) at the Canterbury School of Arts, University of Canterbury before being awarded a much coveted Masters degree with honours at the Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University in 2004. He has since won the Auckland City Public Library Light Commission (2006) and entered the prestigious Chartwell Art Collection (held by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki). Recently, Eddie was selected from over 150 entries for the Olivia Spencer Bower Fellowship and will return to Christchurch in 2008. These are all the hallmarks of a glittering career, he is certainly one to collect.