Latest Projects
‘School Gardens’ – Stourport upon Severn
Claire was commissioned by Bromford Housing to create large scale artworks for the atrium area of a new housing development in Stourport upon Severn. With a free reign, she chose to explore the history of the site itself and surrounding area and people. Through archival research Claire discovered the site was previously a tannery and school building for the workers children. Stourport’s unique history evolved over time as a result of it’s canal system, it was really the place to be at the beginning of the 19th century. Claire combined archival imagery which represented many aspects of of Stourport’s history; It’s place as a leisure and pleasure destination, it’s industries and significant people, as a means of honouring it’s past incarnation while making way for its future. The commission resulted in two large scale horizontal and vertical panels, 2m X 7m , 2m x9m, respectively. The panels were constructed using a combination of water jet cut, powder-coated aluminium, archival photography and digital mosaic.
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“The artwork at School Gardens is fantastic and provides a real presence in the area it has been placed. During the design stage I don’t think we ever really expected such a lovely piece. Thanks to Claire who guided us through the concept and design turning her sketch proposals into this masterpiece that is much admired by all who see it. The attention to detail and links to the local history shows Claire’s passion and interest in delivering a commission to her clients that will be well loved and treasured for years to come”.
Penny Downing
Sales and Marketing Director Bromford Housing
‘Dreaming The Green’ – Walsall
A commission funded by Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund and West Midlands Police Benevolence fund. Claire was invited by ‘Dreaming the Green’ committee to create a 3m ground mosaic working with the local community of Caldmore, pronounced ‘Karma’ , Walsall. Collaborating on the design engagement workshops with local artist Deb Slade, we worked with local people of all ages to produce cultural patterning representative of the hugely diverse and everchanging community. These design ideas were drawn together to create a full sized template and Claire led production workshops with the local school, women’s group, afghani men’s group, after school groups, homeless people and street drinkers to create the artwork. On installation, the mosaic was officially opened by the Mayor of Walsall and attended by participants and local M.P’s. The grand opening was led by Ragistani circus performers and steel pan drummers – A lively event enjoyed by all who attended. A local shop even created a huge cake featuring the mosaic shared by all!
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“Claire worked along side our steering group and local artist Deb Slade and residents to generate design ideas for our mosaic. Following design consultation she ran production workshops building a mosaic with community groups for a public square called Caldmore Green, Walsall. The mosaic replaced an existing mosaic that had become run down and dilapidated. The final work which took two years from its inception to its completion, reflects the rich cultural diversity of the area and incorporates the ideas and work of many local people. Icannot commends Claire’s work highly enough she is sensitive to local needs, innovative in her approach and inclusive in her methodology. the final work produced is of the highest quality”.
Mark Webster
Local resident and member of Dreaming The Green Steering group
‘Sons of Rest’ – Handsworth, Birmingham
Claire was commissioned to create a public artwork to commemorate the ‘Sons of Rest’ movement and its roots in WW1, for Handsworth Park Arts trail in Birmingham. The ‘Sons of Rest’ movement began in Handsworth Park by the creation of a social space where veterans could meet. This instigated the creation of over 26 purpose built buildings in parks throughout the West Midlands and the Black Country. Claire used an original stained glass window from the original building as a template, incorporating archival WW1 and Sons of Rest photography into water jet cut, fired porcelain tiles. These were embedded into a traditionally made mosaic, 2x2m. The artwork will be installed on the side of the Sons of Rest building for public view.
“We invited selected artists to propose ideas for a public art mosaic, around the theme of WW1 and the ‘Sons of Rest Movement’, to form part of Handsworth Park Art Trail. Claire responded well to our brief and proposed a mix of traditional mosaic and archival photographic images in the format of a tree inspired by the stained-glass window in the original ‘Sons of Rest building’. We had a tight deadline, but Claire managed to meet it and the large-scale mosaic she created has captured exactly what we were looking for! It is beautifully constructed and thoroughly researched, the history revealed within the artwork will be a pleasure for the public on enjoy”.
Jan Kimber and Pauline Bailey
Curators, Handsworth Creative CIC
