Philip Clairmont
Staircase Night Triptych

Artwork Detail
‘A triptych is a very challenging format.’
Philip Clairmont
Clairmont combines three perspectives, and gazes upwards and downwards. The dizzying views suggest that the space itself is experiencing a continuous vertigo. These stairs are thrilling and scary at the same moment. Danger and delight are ever present – like an especially thrilling movie.
Exposed light bulbs highlight the jagged blackened reds, scorched yellows and the midnight-blues. Clairmont’s use of dry, fractured colour further communicates a mood of exalted delight. This staircase possesses an authentic drama, as if a real physical entity is about to be encountered.
(Self and Other, 2003)
- Title
- Staircase Night Triptych
- Artist/creator
- Production date
- 1978
- Medium
- acrylic and oil on jute
- Dimensions
- 1775 x 2820 mm
- Credit line
- Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1987
- Accession no
- C1994/1/197.1-3
- Copyright
- Copying restrictions apply
- Department
- New Zealand Art
- Display status
- Not on display
To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.