Clayton Woodley (American, b.1987) is a multi-disciplinary creator and Contemporary photographer. Known for his exotic locations, Woodley’s work features female figures juxtaposed in unique and interesting ways that often blur the line between subject and foreground, a distinction the artist highlights “as a way to reclaim our human identity as nature”. Woodley’s main body of work was created on a nomadic journey across the world from 2014-2016, which he says was guided, by intuition and happenstance. The resulting photographs depict human forms flowering out of landscapes including the Namibian desert in “Dreams to Awaken”, bright contrasting sculpturesque contortionists in Bali, and even nude figures in hard-to-reach and sometimes-controversial locations such as the salt flats of Bolivia and the alien-like landscapes of Socotra, Yemen.

Born and raised in Columbus, IN, Woodley’s first exposure to photography came at an early age when he would visit his dad in Australia and use a point-and-shoot film camera to capture his experiences. Later in high school, he honed in on his visual talents expanding to digital cinematography, video editing, and digital photography. At 18 he moved to Southern California where he used his talents in the action sports scene that lead to a long stint in the music industry. After a life-changing accident in 2014, he embarked on a creative world journey and discovered his true calling as a visual artist and fine-art photographer.

At the age of 29, Woodley had his debut solo exhibition “Dreams to Awaken” at Shim Gallery in Brooklyn, NY. After his second show in Manhattan the following year he moved back to Los Angeles and founded his own online gallery. His vibrant work features large-scale original light-boxes and limited edition prints which have been collected across the world.

SELECTED PRESS:

"His large-scale images develop the theme of identity through the “sculpture gesture” animated by a female silhouette. Clayton Woodley’s esoteric and sophisticated aesthetic approach is a tribute to the inherent deity of nature." - Cercle Magazine

"His series “Dreams to Awaken” chronicles the most surreal moments from the artist’s travels to over 30 countries and six continents, in which tree silhouettes, desert expanses, lush jungles, and rock formations are accentuated by a mysteriously nude female figure cloaked in fabric." - Huffington Post

INTERVIEWS:

Curator's Journal: Interview by Kipton Cronkite

Waking Life: Interview with Status Magazine

WHAT COLLECTORS ARE SAYING:

We were immediately drawn to these two photographs when we saw Clayton’s work. The contrast between the chiffons blowing in the wind against the surrounding scenery in both photographs is what we love. The sky and land coming together in "Moments of Infinity" it feels like the world is never-ending. In "Sovereignty", seeing the woman on the dune with no footprints feels hopeful given the sharpness of the dune’s edge against the bright blue sky. These photographs are now the focal points of our home. We feel and enjoy their beauty each day.  - Kevin E.

I met Clayton met in the lush jungle of Panama and was fortunate enough to catch a sneak preview of his new collection under the open stars. What a backdrop to the backdrop! I felt the call in my heart to bring home a piece. We took care to select the right piece and a few weeks later "Equanimity" was finally hanging on my wall. I can confidently say I have never loved an object in my home so much! It brings me such joy to look up and see it - feeling myself on faraway lands. Clayton continues to impress me with the evolution of his style and the heart and soul he brings to his work. This was an investment that will last a lifetime. - Rebecca Jean, CEO, Nourish INC 

Clayton sees the world as an adventure. His lens is an eye into his boundless spirit. I bought Clayton's piece,  "Deliverance",  to be on display as you enter our home and it stops guests in their tracks and leads to new conversations time and time again. He's a true talent. - Leland Drummond, Co-Founder, Azione