Saskatchewan Artist

Clifford Enright

Clifford Enright was born in the United States in 1934. Before pursuing his education, he served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959. He studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. (1960), Marietta College in Ohio (1961), and American University in Washington, D.C.. At the latter institution, he received his Master of Arts in 1966, and he came to Saskatchewan that same year. He began teaching at the University of Saskatchewan's Regina campus, through the College of Education. Enright also continued his own education by attending the Emma Lake Artists' Workshops in 1967 with Michael Steiner and in 1969 with Frank Stella.

Enright received Canada Council grants in 1969 and 1970, and the latter allowed him to work for a year in New York City. He chose to stay there rather than returning to teach in Saskatchewan, and soon took up a position as an instructor in drawing, painting, and pastels at Stuyvesant Adult Center. He remained there until 1999 and also taught private classes at his studio and watercolour and pastel courses through New York University's continuing education program (1980-1982).

Enright's watercolour, pastel, and acrylic works take inspiration from his environments, which have been diverse, including Saskatchewan winters and energetic life of New York City. His works have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in the United States and Canada. In addition to many private collections, Enright's work is represented in the collections of the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Regina Public Library, MacKenzie Art Gallery (Regina), University of Regina, and Rutgers University (New Jersey),

In 2004, a spinal cord injury left Enright a quadriplegic. He has pursued physical therapy and continues to paint with assistance from aides who arrange his palettes and position the brushes in his hand. Of his process painting one of his series of watercolours after his injury, Enright writes, “The head is as important as the hand. The heart is as important as both. The series of watercolours is decorative and abstract rather than realistic and is meant to celebrate colour and music. Music, because I have listened to so much during my recovery and colour because it seems to be a direct segue from my music to watercolours. I have used a grid in many of the paintings because my limited arm range made me feel more secure with a grid. I hope these watercolours bring the same joy to my viewers that I had painting them.”

Clifford Enright continues to live and paint in New York City.