Claire Cooper-Walsh

 

Artist Statement

Artist Statement

I have always loved and been fascinated by textiles of any kind. I studied Fine Art at college, but soon after finishing, started up a knitwear business, which I ran until I moved to Scotland. I was lucky enough to have a studio for two years, where I experimented with producing machine-knitted textiles and machine embroidered and printed/stencilled textiles. I then went on to produce work that was 3D, using machine embroidery to embellish sculptural pieces made with chicken wire covered in mod roc. I was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Edinburgh to design and make a pilgrimage banner for Lourdes, and to embellish vestments for the clergy artists. I then spent 12 years concentrating on my painting- mixed media works, heavily influenced by my love of textiles.

In the last 6 years I have learnt to weave and felt and now move between these, machine embroidery and mixed media, at times incorporating small felted or embroidered pieces into my mixed media paintings

I take my inspiration from many sources: artists such as Hundertwasser, Klimt, Victoria Crowe, and contemporary textile artists such as Karen Nicol, Sue Hotchkis and Alice Kettle as well as work seen on such wonderful internet sites as Pinterest. I am also very inspired by the wealth of exciting fibres/threads/fabrics which bring out my passion to create.

Qualifications

Fine Art BA hons- Bath Academy of Art

Exhibitions

Barnyard Studios- Morayshire, Scotland

Made in Scotland- Inverness, Scotland

Glasgow University

Queen’s Hall- Edinburgh

Harding House Gallery, Lincoln

Malvern Theatre

Artrix, Bromsgrove

Number 8, Pershore

Website and contact

www.clairecooperwalsh.com email: ccooperwalsh@gmail.com

Available for

commissions