Ephemeral Light

Ephemeral Light presents oil paintings by Clifford How focused on the area surrounding his home and studio in St Leonards, Tasmania. The exhibition explores colour and light during the transition between day and night, when shadows lengthen and hills are bathed in dusky pink. Many works incorporate elements of human presence—powerlines, fences, paths, and roads—which function as symbols of connection while also marking the boundary between cultivated and wild landscape. The reflective qualities of water feature prominently, with the North Esk River and its tributaries dominating the local environment. Starting as field sketches and tonal studies, the final paintings are created quickly through gestural application of paint, capturing fleeting light effects. The exhibition celebrates an underacknowledged area of Tasmania, demonstrating How's ability to communicate a sense of place across varied landscapes.