Reach out for inquiries or to schedule a studio visit at ckambhu@gmail.com
For updates follow @clarekambhu
Clare Kambhu (b. 1988) is a painter whose work explores overlooked details of institutional spaces. Her paintings draw attention to subtle traces of human activity in these environments. She highlights quiet contradictions in systems meant to support human development, often zeroing in on bureaucratic texts, whiteboards, and computer screens. Her interest in this subject stems from her prior work as a public school teacher in NYC high schools. Through a slow, meticulous process, she captures reflections, smudges, and signs of wear and tear. Her paintings turn ordinary scenes into moments that feel at once familiar, absurd, and unexpectedly vivid. Kambhu divides her time between New York City and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Education
2018 MFA Painting, Yale University School of Art. New Haven, CT
2011 MA Art Education, New York University. New York, NY
2010 BFA Studio Art, minor: Computer Science, New York University. New York, NY
Solo Shows
2026 Manual Entry, Satchel Projects. New York, NY
2024 8:20 - 3:40, Garner Art Center. Garnerville, NY
2023 Sections, Transborder Art. Governor’s Island, NY
2022 Seating Arrangement, Office Space Gallery. Salt Lake City, UT
Selected Group Shows
2026 In the Light of Your Shadow, Tomayko Foundation. Pittsburgh, PA
2026 Back and Forth, Weyers-Sampson Gallery. Greenville, PA (two person show)
2026 Brand/Kambhu/Sutter, a Selection of Faculty Work, Allegheny Art Galleries. Meadville, PA (3 person show)
2025 Authority Problem, Satchel Projects. New York, NY
2025 30 Days of Culture Shock, apexart. New York, NY
2021 Bronx Calling: The Fifth AIM Biennial, The Bronx Museum. Bronx, NY
2021 What Comes After, 601 Artspace. Online
2020 Open House, Elegran. New York, NY
2019 Un-Museo de Raíces Movedizas, Governors Island. New York, NY
2019 Reading Painting, Treasure Town. Brooklyn, NY
2018 Tails, Next to Nothing Gallery. New York, NY
2018 Signal, Katonah Museum of Art. Katonah, NY
2018 Present Tense, Ottinger Room. Croton, NY
2018 Way Out Now, Diane Rosenstein. Los Angeles, CA
2018 Super/Natural, Artspace. New Haven, CT
2018 Wild Seed, Yale University Green Hall Gallery. New Haven, CT
2017 Radcliffe, Cthulhu. Brooklyn, NY
2017 Feast, Yale University Green Hall Gallery. New Haven, CT
2014 Branching Out, TNC Gallery. New York, NY
2013 NY Artist/Teacher Show, Boricua College Gallery. New York, NY
2011 Millennial Yell, Art for Change Gallery. New York, NY
2010 Pigeons in the Grass, Alas, Monster Island. Brooklyn York, NY
Curation
2021 Polymer Piety, SPRING/BREAK Art Show. New York, NY.
2020 Separated as though by a Pane of Glass, SPRING/BREAK Art Show. New York, NY.
2012 Dismissed, Art for Change Gallery (co-curated). New York, NY.
2011 (Dis)Located, Art for Change Gallery (co-curated). New York, NY.
Fellowships and Residencies
2022 - 2023 Artist in Residence, The Children’s Museum of the Arts. New York, NY
2022 apexart Travel Fellowship. Montevideo, Uruguay
2019 AIM Fellow, Bronx Museum. Bronx, NY
2018 Art & Law Program Fellow. New York, NY
Published
2020 MFA Annual 147, New American Paintings
2019 Four Strategies to Support Immigrant Students, Education Week
Talks
2026 Artist Talk, Weyers-Sampson Art Gallery. Greenville, PA
2025 Panelist, Leaving Into the Unknown. apexart. New York, NY
2024 Artist Talk, Garner Art Center. Garnerville, NY
2023 Panelist, Summer School: Where Does Arts Education Happen? Children’s Museum of Art & Kasmin Gallery. New York, NY
2021 Presenter, Art School Pedagogy Symposium. Teacher's College, Columbia University. New York, NY
2017 Panelist, Race and Revolution Teaching Artist Roundtable. Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY
Awards
2024 Hirshhorn Museum 50th Anniversary Artist Honoree
2024 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
2023 Hirshhorn Museum Artist x Artist Honoree
2022 The Exhibit Finalist, Smithsonian Channel and Hirshhorn Museum
2018 Signal First Prize, Katonah Museum of Art. Katonah, NY