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Paintings
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Back to Being
Oil on Italian linen (diptych)
210cmx 140cm e.a
2023
(Sold) 

Mother-Earth is nature and clearly embedded in all that exists, but what about Mother-Love? If love had a face, it would be of an innocent quirky little girl, wondrous of all the possibilities to emerge and transform from the unexpected and unexplainable sweetness and joy that drives life itself blooming from within or the wariness to go without.  In the same way as sweet as life  emerging from the darkness, the subject emerges with a striped singlet, ribbons, lollies and fairy floss recalling Marie Antoinette’s symbols of innocuousness as a form of protest and expression of identity in current times.

Back to Being - Solo Show Series
2023

Back to Being is an exhibition of new paintings by Julian Clavijo. This series is an introspection on the interconnectedness between humans and all other living creatures, especially the current endangered species of animals and the imaginary ones that might evolve when we are no longer here.
According to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, as of 2023, up to 150 species become extinct every single day. That is as much as 10% of our whole biodiversity in a decade. The rapid loss of species we are seeing today is estimated by experts to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. This means that unlike the previous 5 mass extinction events of geological history, the current extinction challenge is one for which a single species—ours—appears to be almost wholly responsible, and at an incredibly rapid pace. What does this mean for the future of humanity and for the planet? As evidence shows, the planet regenerates and life thrives over and over again. New species are born and the ecosystem finds its balance through the immaculate laws of time. But what about humans? Why do we live in this social-consumerist, self-destructive system detached from what intrinsically keeps us alive?
An understanding that we don’t pass the planet to our children, but rather we borrow it from them, is at the core of this exhibition. Clavijo has created a series of portraits of children who heroically come forward to watch and protect what is intrinsically our own nature and come to call it their own. Back to Being is a body of work dedicated to our species; a hopeful stance of a generation, to reject the self-destructive way of living and embrace how all animals are our spirit and we are theirs: the extinct species that, because of us, are gone, the species that are still here, and the ones to come.
 

Can I go out and play yet?
Oil on Canvas  

2021


Painted during the 260+ days of lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. 
For children, 2 years of pandemic feels like (or it maybe is) a lifetime, where they had to be hiding at home because out there is an “invisible monster that attacks (and kills) people” (quote by my cousin’s daughter, age 4). No school time, no friends, no family, no biscuits with grandma, no birthday party this year, no birthday party next year, no runs to the playground, no ice cream truck, no street games, no cinema, no sting by a bee, no road trip, no camping, no stepping on dog poo, no beach days, no mud eating, no sandpit castles… sports? games? Play? no friends, again.
The world became a screen.Living in this way, the world can become dark, especially the internal world. When all we know of life suddenly gets taken away… I’m not a parent, but, how do you explain that to a little kid why they are locked down with so many prohibitions for so long? How do you explain that to an older kid? A teenager? When the exploration of the world, relationships and interactions and discovery are some of the most crucial aspects of the wholesome development as a healthy human being? This painting is the portrait of these times, the portrait of the 260+ days patiently waiting for the “invisible monster” to go away, raincoat and boots on-and-all ready to go out to play. Can I go out to play yet? Roses bloomed and died, and bloomed again, and died again. There he sits and awaits day after day, month after month, eating the biscuits that grandma sent him, sitting on the old chair in the fatigued darkness staring at the light… the light from a window where he can see the world standing still? Or is it the light of another flick on the screen…?

'2020 Australia'

Dedicated to the devastating Australian bushfires

Oil on Canvas

35cm X 55cm

2020

(Sold)

​

Environmentally (and socially) speaking what we are witnessing is a clear and loud mirror reflection of a fast-paced mass extinction as it happens. The 6th mass extinction and the only one caused by one of the species. These natural events generally happened by severe changes in the climate or rise or low in the levels of vital elements in the environment. But this one right here right now is seeing species and creatures being swept faster than never before, by the billions in a matter of months. Of course that the system we indulge in is politically incorrect but let's not forget that the sustainability of this planet is a global commitment that starts with the consciousness of each individual. Our next generation of little ones is staring at us while we literally stand and watch the planet burn. I feel ashamed to hand over the planet the way it is to the current generation of children. A planet where you check hazardous levels of pollution in the air before you step out the door, a planet where they can't go safely to school in terror of a shooting happening, a planet where we feed by food-like by-products, technology that is making us less social, ill and lethargic, and the list goes on. If we all think and act day by day with a purpose to leave this planet a bit better than we received it, I'm sure this will be a much better home for all of us.

 

2020 Australia Julian Clavijo.jpg

Present and Somewhere in Between
Oil paint on Stainless Steel panels installation on internal lifts shafts  
Lift 1: 950cmx 93cm 
Lift 2: 560cm x 90cm
2020
(Commission) 

This major private commission of a total of 13metres oil painting combined is my largest oil painting project to date. Painted on several stainless steel panels in the studio, these large painting took over a year to complete.  

The Painting’s Journey’. This artwork can not be contemplated as a whole at once, but rather it slowly and romantically unveils itself as one travel up and down a lift. An oil painting of monumental scales (9m high) that sails upwards into the freedom of a child’s mind and into the kingdoms of imagination and islands of dreams. Then, to encounter oneself continuing in the cycle to the insightful journey within. This is part 1 of a private commission permanently installed inside a lift shaft. 


The accelerated unsustainable pace of consuming and destruction that began with the industrial revolution, has accelerated the extinction of species by a thousand fold in the last 100 years. Not to mention the levels of pollution we have to endure in our air, soil, water and food. Time was and still is running out before we get to a point of no return. Let’s not forget that with or without us, the planet will recover, it doesn’t need us, but we do need it.
Lift n.2 of the travelling oil painting ‘Present and somewhere in between’ dedicated to the species that no longer exist because of us, and the ones that are almost gone, again, because of us.

Peruvian Kids Pixels Series

Acrylic and spray paint on wood blocks

56x 60cm each panel

2019

(Sold) 

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Patterns, colour, material and attention to detail are aspects of my practice that I’ve aimed to thrive for for years. Inviting the viewer to connect and come close to my pieces to explore and discover more beyond of what can be seen from a distance; this is an interaction that I aim to achieve when communicating the intention presented in my work. Through the pixelation of portraits, materiality, distance and space I channel the notion of disintegration. In this case of indigenous communities world wide

Detail Videos

Emancipation
Acrylic and spray paint on wood blocks and bullet shells installation
250cmx 220cm 
2018
(Sold) 

Since birth and early years of existence, the human being has been vulnerable to set social paradigms and judgements that psychologically, emotionally and physically shape the individual being's views and values of the world they live in and are surrounded by.The bullets in the installation are elements representing the psychological trauma of war, but they also stand as metaphors, reflecting the wars we all have within us and the struggles of young people to overcome their own internal battles. It is a call to overcome these battles, to win in the fight against oppression and to emancipate ourselves from the mental limitations we face on a daily basis. Proceeds from this artwork were donated to the REACH Foundation.

Empowerment
Acrylic and spray paint on wood blocks 
250cmx 220cm 
2021
(Sold) 
To all women.
Inequality of gender rose from the neanderthal notion of the strong-hardheaded male protecting the clan and its offsprings and hunting for food. That in fact is obsolete in current global society. The patriarchy, discrimination and abuse from governments to work-place; from sports-to family and; foremost, religion and education must break-off and end. This artwork stands on top of the shady blocks and cracks of our societal system, where the face of women breaks-through to stand for what is righteous, for what is equal, for what is safe and just. Face up and forward, women emerge strong from the long endured shadow of the veil of injustice, abuse and inequality.

Without the dark, light has no meaning
Oil on raw birch
40 x63,5cm
2019
(Sold)

1Without the dark light has no meaning.j

Journey

Family portrait commission

Oil on Canvas

100 x 130 cm

2020

(Sold) 

Journey .jpg

Parallel Worlds

Cliftons Awards - Winner 2017

Oil on Canvas

110 x 123 cm

2015 - 2016

(Sold) 

Parallel Worlds by Julian Clavijo Oil on Canvas 110 x 123 cm 2015 - 2016

Released
Oil on concrete panel
42.5cm x 32.5cm
2021
(Sold)

Beinart_Released_Julian Clavijo.jpg

Handing over the planet

Oil on canvas

120cm x80,5cm

2018

(Sold)

Handing the planet over - Julian Clavijo

'Voices in My Head'

Oil on Canvas

35.5cm X 94.5cm

2017

(Available)

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Finalist Black Swan Portraiture Prize 2017 (WA)  & Semi-Finalist Doug Moran National Portraiture Prize 2017 (NSW)

Portrait of  Adam Elliot, Academy Award Winner, filmmaker, director, writer, sculptor and animator. The creator of stop-motion animation cult classics Harvey

Krumpet and Mary and Max .This is a depiction of the conscious and subconscious creation of the stories and their forms, and how they are born in the brain of the creator who then become a beholder and interpreter. The personal story and life reflection in this portrait is deeply embedded in the representation of his characters and symbolic elements found throughout his films.

Parallel Worlds by Julian Clavijo Oil on Canvas 110 x 123 cm 2015 - 2016

'Patient Transition' Solo Exhibition

Ground Floor - STK Arts Space

St Kilda, Melbourne

Australia

 

'Por Amor / For Love' Exhibition

Metro Gallery October-November, 2015

Armadale, Melbourne

Australia

 

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Reborn

Oil on Canvas

195x165cm

2014 - 15

(Sold)

Wondering about the kids

Oil on canvas

167x110cm

2014

(Sold)

Bubble Citizen

Oil on canvas

160x160cm

2014

(Sold)

The making of the Bubble Citizen - Timelapse

 

Memories of Gaza

Oil on rendered concrete
Various sizes

2014

(Series Sold)

Paintings Selection 2013

Small selection of paintings created during 2013 exhibited in Australia, Italy, Thailand and Colombia.

 Private Commissions 

 

Click on the images to see the painting in full screen

Australia Art Month - Abu Dhabi 2013

Series of works created during the one-month artist in residency in Abu Dhabi. These works were a response based on the experiences and encounters of landscapes, contexts and its people.

Behind the Bars Series - 2013

“Behind the Bars” is a series of portraits of children – victims from around the world -  who have actually experienced or are living through wars. These paintings are a poetic black and white depiction of the notion that there are children imprisoned behind the coloured bars of a denied childhood, deprived of the joy of life. Abducted from their innocence and dreams, these children are condemned by their memories and scars of war to survive behind these emotional and psychological bars.

This compilation of five portraits creates a general feeling of joy represented in the selection of colour values to transmit variety and people's passion for life. Regardless of their social and political problems, defective systems and their limitations, Latin American people are amongst the happiest people in the world.

Processes

Human Disintegration

Winner 1st place Banyule Outdoor Sculpture Award 2011 - Finalist Yering Station Sculpture Prize 2011

The concept that drives this sculptural painting is the sense of human fragility embodied within the image being depicted. The subject matter of the work relates to the notion that children around the world are suffering from corruption, violence, war and starvation extended to the armed conflict of Colombia. A real child holding a bullet belt evidences the fragile innocence standing parallel the poisonous element of war, raising the notion that humanity is being disintegrated by war and unfaithful politics. 3045 wood cubes (45mm3 each) are painted according to specific colour coding and separately placed within the chosen site.  This conveys an overall sense of disintegration. Because the artwork is composed of numerous modules, at eye level the viewer can barely make out the image but can see its materialisation in detail On the other hand, viewed from above and at a distance, the observer can perceive the whole image and thus begin to understand what it is about. The act of the viewer being above or a a distance from the artwork becomes an implicit message of the piece interacting as a modular work that varies significantly depending on one’s distance or perspective.

Crimson Red

Wood blocks and acrylic paint
60x90cm

 

 

Stolen Soul

Wood blocks and acrylic paint
60x90cm

 

True Faces

Wood panel and acrylic paint
57x9198cm

Practice and studios 

Small selection of some of Julian's painting practice prior 2009

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