TEACHING, CREATING, INSPIRING
From the streets of 1980s Dunedin to the vibrant art spaces of Northland, Rebecca Barclay-Clist has spent her life weaving creativity, teaching, and collaboration into a career that continues to inspire.
Words Jon E Clist
All the way back in 80’s urban Dunedin, a young Rebecca Barclay-Clist dreamt of a life involving art. She knew that it was more than just practicing her art – it was also about sharing the love of art with others. Even at this young age she knew she wanted to be an art teacher.
From the grey stone inner-city streets of Dunedin, Barclay-Clist ended up studying ceramics at the Dunedin Art College, followed by a year at Teachers College in Christchurch – the first steps in what would become a life of artistic expression. A move to Northland in 1997 to begin her teaching career saw her shift from the three-dimensional world of ceramics into painting, and from there her style grew and morphed as she experimented with ways to capture her view of the world and its inhabitants in static visual expressions.
Jump ahead to 2025 and Rebecca Barclay-Clist is entering another prolific period of her art journey. September saw her joint show WILD with Johnnie Daley invade the Mangawhai Artist’s Gallery with raw energy, challenging perceptions of the unbridled existence of life itself. This exhibition was another example of Barclay-Clist’s drive not only to express her own passions but also to encourage others in theirs. Exhibiting with her former student Daley was a powerful reflection of that commitment. A visceral collaboration between two artistic powerhouses, WILD delves into the untamed spirit of nature. While both artists have previously explored the symbolism of wild animals, this exhibition’s title ignited a new level of ferocity and freedom in their work.
Some of the works from this exhibition will also be available to view at the MGTO Gallery in Maungaturoto, where Rebecca Barclay-Clist is one of the exhibiting founders of this exciting new space. Passionate about fostering local art and encouraging the sharing of stories through a multitude of mediums, she has helped shape the gallery into a dynamic hub. With feature exhibitions changing every 6 to 8 weeks, and eleven founding members bringing together diverse styles and formats, MGTO injects a joyous freshness into the Kaipara region and beyond.
Whether in the classroom, her studio, or the local gallery spaces, it is evident that at her very core Rebecca Barclay-Clist is a deeply passionate artist – drawn to that moment in time and space where the artist, the art, and the audience collide in a tidal wave of expression and truth.
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