22 December, 2020

// Media Release

Matakana artist Clare Woods loves giving her art away and always has an eye out for an interesting charity project.

Supporting Harbour Hospice’s annual art exhibition in January was an easy decision for her after experiencing the care given to her entire family when her father-in-law was dying.

“John was ill for about six months and hospice was unbelievable – you have no idea until you’re in the middle of it,” Clare says. “Not just the nurses and doctors, but the office staff, everyone was always asking how we were doing and what they could do for us.”

Clare appreciated how easy the hospice team made it for her to bring her energetic preschool sons to visit their grandad in the Inpatient Unit. When her older boy turned five, the staff helped organise a birthday party so the whole family could be there.

Although that was 15 years ago, Clare has never lost the feeling of relief and gratitude inspired by Hospice’s care. She is delighted to be taking part in Martakana, Harbour Hospice’s annual exhibition and sale to raise funds for its free palliative care service in the Warkworth/Wellsford community.

She has donated a painting to be auctioned at Martakana with 100% of the sale price going to Hospice. Along with more than 50 other artists, she will have several other works for sale in the Matakana School Hall from January 21 to 24. The exhibition opens with a ticketed preview and auction from 6pm on Thursday, then entry is free from Friday to Sunday.

Clare has been painting since childhood, and has enjoyed periods of painting for her children, exploring botanical subjects, negative space and recently, abstracts featuring curves and arches. She is inspired by her online connection with “an amazing pool of artists” all over the world, which has also led her to get involved in several charity initiatives.

A passion for reducing waste has led her to help a North Shore charity store by upcycling donated artworks, painting over canvases or replacing a framed print or painting with one of her own colourful works.

For more information about Martakana and to buy tickets for the preview night, click here.

Clare Woods studio - mARTakana 2021

Clare Woods in her home-based studio.

Clare Woods with Spring Flight - mARTakana 2021

Clare has donated Spring Flight to be auctioned at Martakana.