Claire Manners Wood London, United Kingdom

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I am an artist who creates abstract textile sculptures and embroideries. I bring a wealth of emotion to my creative process, transforming life experiences into meaningful sculptures and artworks.

Combining architecture and tailoring with individual vibrancy inspired by colour, pattern and texture, my personal and commissioned sculptures are abundant in vivid reflections on moments of joy as well as gravitas. They can embody the individuals who donated the fabric, making my constructions relational, generational and emotionally significant. My embroideries often explore unseen patterns and representations of our world.

My abstract structures are dressed and decorated with recycled, inherited and donated fabrics. A variety of sewing techniques are used to create volume, texture and tone in fabric, which is attached to an armature. I often employ playful elements. My embroideries embrace free motion machine embroidery techniques on water soluble fabric based on my unique designs.

A fine art course completed in 2021 moved me from painting to textiles and by chance I discovered a passion for creating 3D textile artworks. I have been involved in around 20 in-person and online exhibitions over the past 18 months, and currently have one commissioned sculpture in a south London gallery.

When undertaking a commission, I work hard to understand the emotional connections of the subject to the brief.