Growing up in an artist’s house, sculpture was a big part of my life as a child. I played with clay and carved plaster learning alongside my mother, sculpting and body casting. In the 60s and 70s, models, artists and students would be constantly in and out of the house, and the regular parties were very popular with gatecrashers from the art school in Brighton!
In my teens, my relationship with my mother became increasingly challenging and I drifted away from art, associating it with her. I would come back to art in my late thirties in Paris starting first with painting, then with sculpture, pursuing my artistic training with short courses at the London Art Academy in the UK.
At school, I was into languages and found gratification and solace in my studies. I knew that education was my ticket to freedom. Rewarded with a first in English and French at Manchester college of Higher Education, I set off on a long journey of self discovery abroad, making homes in Lyon, French West Indies, London, Paris and Rome. It was in Italy that I was finally able to settle into sculpting full time from my studio in a Franciscan monastery just outside of Rome!
After almost thirty years abroad however, I returned “home” with my wonderful Italian husband, Maurizio. Returning to the UK after a pretty idyllic lifestyle was hard to say the least and for a long time, I suffered from artist’s block and depression. I felt like a fish out of water in my own country.
introducing the committee
Claire Nelson
Photos and text supplied by Claire Nelson
Whale Rider by Claire Nelson
Circle of Life by Claire Nelson
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Then I discovered the SSS thanks to Adam Aaronson and Christine Charlesworth who both convinced me to join. Suddenly I felt like I had found my tribe and have never looked back. Some amazing friendships were born with sculptors within the society, making me feel connected and happy to be an artist again – thanks - you know who you are!
Having organised Surrey Hills Sculpture Garden for the Society for two years running, I was ready for the role of General Secretary on the committee. I feel privileged to be part of making and shaking things from the hub of an outstanding voluntary organisation that offers so much to local sculptors.
My sculpture focuses on human figures and marine life in bronze and bronze resin. I like to keep rawness in my work, aiming for a striking, bold and expressive style. Whilst representational, my work is driven by feelings and sensations, often resulting in highly evocative, emotional pieces. “Whale Rider” for example was inspired by the homonymous film about Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve year old girl who dreams of becoming chief of her Māori tribe. Moved by the powerful emotions and messages in this film, I was immediately driven to make this piece. The sculpture captures the moment when Paikea coaxes a pod of beached whales back into the sea.