Claire Williams
In c1961 was offered an art scholarship at Loughborough College, but we moved! My very first exhibition exhibit was an open show at Newport Museum and Art Gallery in c1963. Upon leaving school between 1967-1969 I began a Fine Art Pre-dip at Exeter College of Art and Fine Art Dip-AD at Falmouth School of Art. Unfortunately much too soon as I was too young and not prepared!
Decades passed along with various day jobs and a failed marriage with single motherhood.
I gained a ‘portfolio’ of employed and self-employed jobs; but significantly as Curator’s Assistant at the Cookworthy Museum, and a similar role at NT Overbecks near Salcombe. ‘Assist Play Leader’ at Aveton Gifford for 10 years qualifying with a post grad Early Years Professional Status.
Resuming my education, I attended certificated courses at Plymouth College of Art; Cornwall College; University of Plymouth gaining 5 year BA (Hons) Design (exhibition design; graphic design; and typography); University of Plymouth BA (Hons) Fine Art; and MA Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice’. I have attended non-certificated courses for example Printmaking at Dartington, Mixed Medias at Harbour House Kingsbridge and for a number of years at Salcombe Art Club.
Open and Member Exhibitions include: Salcombe Art Club; South West Academy; Art Trail (SHAF); Dartington; Delamore Arts; Devon Artist Network; Devon Open Studios; Harbour House; RAMM; RNLI fundraising events; KASHAC etc.
Featured Work
Creative Statement
‘Ways with Landscape’ covers a variety of creative practices in the genre of British Walking Artists. ‘The Art of Slow Walking’ narratives document the experience of a favoured personal rural landscape in the vicinity of the River Avon in South Hams of Devonshire.
Duration is less important than the physical, emotional, spiritual experience of being ‘there and then’ that counts!
These narratives enhance the creative dialogue by exploring deeper aspects of life on earth. Frequently, an initial artwork has developed into a series, revisited over time and giving rise to other work that explores deeper aspects of creativity.
The late Joan Eardley said:
“I find the more I know the place or the more I know a particular spot. The more I paint in that particular spot. I do feel the more you know something, the more you get out of it – the more it gives you’’.
Art needs to reach beyond the mere decorative to key issues of our times. The artist aims to address the fragility of all life in her creativity, highlighting for example the spiritual poverty, lack wholesome purpose and environmental issues.
