Neil Clifford

Artist Statement

The genesis for the Distant Shores Series came during my trips northward into the Canadian Shield, where I was drawn to the beauty of its ancient granite. Each stone in the series, eroded, etched, and in some cases fractured and split by relentless interaction with the powerful forces of wind and water, now are foundations for vessels that themselves have weathered the elements through millennia.

The pairing of kayak with stone denotes the human presence within this ageless interplay between earth and sea. The rich textural surfaces on the boats suggest countless journeys from the water’s edge into remote seas - an evocation of a time-honoured and seamless connection to their home and habitat.

Such dynamic fusion implores viewers to place themselves within a larger scenario, and reflect on their own connections to the world outside urban confines, identifying themselves as dreamers, passive onlookers or active participants in the natural world around them.