Holladay artist of the month inspired in Italy

By Stephanie DeGraw | [email protected]

The new Artist of the Month explores interpersonal relationships through artwork on display throughout September at Holladay City Hall.

Artist Clinton Whiting explores the invisible connection between people. "My art embraces the space of couples in a relationship with one another," he said.

His paintings are exhibited in shows in the United States and Europe. He received a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Utah and a graduate degree from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, in Italy.

Whiting credits his studies in Rome for shaping his style. "It's as complex as possible and yet simple as possible," he said. His art is similar in its primitive nature and expressionistic style as the ancient Etruscan civilization art. The Etruscans lived in the regions we now know as Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Veneto and Campania. The Etruscans thrived from before 700 BC until they were assimilation into the Roman Republic, beginning in the late 4th century BC with the Roman-Etruscan Wars.

Attending graduate school in Italy inspired Whiting to be outside his comfort zone and find his voice as an artist. "The cultural experience was part of the adventure," he said. The language was not a barrier for him as he had already served a mission for his church in Italy when he was younger.

His passion for painting manifested as a young child. Often he switches between painting, drawing, ink and sculpture. "Whatever it takes to say what I'm trying to say," he said.

Whiting's gallery affiliations include the Evergreen Gallery and Every Blooming Thing in Salt Lake City. His work has also displayed at the Terzian Galleries in Park City.

The Artist of the Month program recognizes Holladay artists and was launched in 2016. One artist is selected nine times a year: February through June and September through December. The chosen artist's work is hung in the foyer of City Hall for the month, according to Sheryl Gillilan, executive director of the Holladay Arts Council. The artists are then entered into the Fine Art Show the next year, and their application fee is waived.

Nominations can be submitted by artists, arts council members or community members. Artists can also self-nominate, she said. The arts council subcommittee reviews the nominated artist's work. The selection is based on quality. Applicants must live within the boundaries of Holladay. The artwork can be in any medium. The website to submit is holladayarts.org.