Clinton Gorst

Clinton Gorst is a New Zealand-born artist based in Sydney, Australia, who has earned international acclaim for his mastery of analogue (hand-cut) collage. His creative journey began in childhood, fueled by a passion for music and pop culture, which eventually led him to study graphic design in Wellington. During a pivotal period living in London in the mid 1990s, he was deeply influenced by the avant-garde aesthetics of fashion and culture magazines. This background in design, combined with a meticulous eye for detail, allowed him to transition from a hobbyist into a professional artist known for "surreal realism."
What sets Gorst’s work apart is his strict adherence to traditional methods; he uses original vintage books as resources, predominantly from the 1950s to the 1970s, to construct his pieces. By using scissors and scalpels with surgical precision, he "paints" with paper, camouflaging the edges so effectively that the final compositions often appear to be digital creations or seamless photographs. His narratives frequently blend Mid-century Modernism and Brutalist architecture with elements of science fiction and fantasy, creating retro-futuristic landscapes that feel both nostalgic and prophetic.
In recent years, Gorst’s ...

National College of Design and Technology, Wellington (2000)

SELECTED EXHIBITION HISTORY:

2025 – INCOGNITO ART SHOW, The Garden Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

2024 – FOR THE DECKADE 2024, Sorse Gallery, Melbourne

2024 – INCOGNITO ART SHOw, Paddington, Sydney 

2024 – AFFORDABLE ART FAIR, WINX stand, Royal Randwick, Sydney

2023 – November art showcase, Bouvardia, Melbourne

2023 – THE OTHER ART FAIR, The Cutaway, Barangaroo, Sydney

2023 – MIXED + POP, Traffic Jam Gallery, Neutral Bay, Sydney

2023 – GATHER/TOGETHER, The Long Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart

2023 – REBIRTH, aMBUSH Gallery, Sydney 

2023 – VIP ROOM, Bondi Beach Party, Sydney WorldPride

2023 – PRIDE POP UP, Traffic Jam Gallery, Neutral Bay, Sydney

2022 – THE OTHER ART FAIR, The Cutaway, Barangaroo, Sydney

2022 – FOR THE DECKADE, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne

2022 – INCOGNITO ART SHOW, Sydney

2022 – SYDNEY & SURROUNDS, Traffic Jam Galleries, Sydney

2021 – INCOGNITO ART SHOW, Paddington, Sydney

2021 – THE OTHER ART FAIR, The Cutaway, Barangaroo, Sydney

2021 – OUTLOUD, Tap Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney

2021 – FOR THE DECKADE, No Vacancy Gallery, Melbourne

2021 – BARE BONES, AIRspace Projects, Marrickville, Sydney

2020 – UNTITLED 2020, Traffic Jam Galleries, Neutral Bay, Sydney

2020 – OUTLOUD, Tap Ga...