Kristen McClarty

At the heart of McClarty's practice lies a desire to capture the essence of wood in her prints. Drawing inspiration from the belief that lived experiences leave lasting traces on the environment, her recent series of woodblocks explores the concept of residual energy—the imprints left behind on surfaces like rock, water droplets, and even the particles suspended in the air and liquid. Through her work, McClarty captures the narrative embedded within the natural world, seeking to represent the unseen forces that shape our surroundings.

Her connection to the environment goes beyond woodblock printing, as McClarty also draws influence from the fluidity of sea swimming. The rhythmic motions of swimmers, the interplay of light on water, and the tactile sensations of immersion are key to her exploration of texture, movement, and the passage of time within her art.

CIRCLE Contemporary is thrilled to showcase McClarty’s latest works, “Trace of a Red Tide” and “Leaving Trace in Deep Water.” These limited-edition prints—each part of an edition of four woodcuts—are accompanied by a single artist proof printed on Awagami hemp lace paper (27 gsm), meticulously handcrafted in Japan. This paper, with its delicate yet resilient nature, plays an integral role in McClarty’s artistic expression, merging time-honoured Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary printmaking techniques. The collaboration exemplifies the fusion of global artistic traditions, where cultural richness meets modern creativity. Through her prints, McClarty not only tells a story of materiality and lived experience but also celebrates the shared appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity across borders.

Recently, McClarty was honoured with election as an Associate Member (ARE) of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE Printmakers, UK) — a significant milestone recognising her exceptional woodcut printmaking on an international stage.

Her election followed a rigorous selection process, culminating in the presentation of her portfolio to the RE Council at Bankside Gallery, London in February. As part of this honour, McClarty’s woodcut “Suspended Thoughts” (2022) was selected for the historic RE Diploma Collection, housed at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford — marking her first work to enter a UK public collection.

This achievement is a testament to McClarty’s technical skill, artistic excellence, and growing presence within the global printmaking community. We are incredibly proud to represent Kristen’s work here at CIRCLE and look forward to seeing where this exciting new chapter takes her.