About Claire Armitage
Claire's work is about capturing of a sense of place, exploring our complex interconnectivity with the natural world...
Working from her studio in West Cornwall, Claire’s surroundings inspire much of her work. There is a story behind the artwork, adorning each of Claire’s textile collections and limited-edition prints.
Artist's Statement
I create textiles and prints to capture a sense of place and invite an immersion into the wild beauty of West Cornwall’s landscape, flora and fauna; with its hidden woodlands, sweeping curves of moorland and coastlines where the Atlantic Ocean meets the skies.
Nestled inland from the coast, I work surrounded by meadows and woodlands. I gain a deep sense of place by revisiting the same locations to draw and paint from direct observation, exploring the colours and fauna as they change with the seasons and time of day. Back in my studio I create detailed botanical studies of the plants I’ve collected. Gradually I develop the compositions and colours for my prints and textiles, often layering the minutia of nature within larger landscapes. Each of my textile pieces, is carefully handmade to last.
I see my creative practice as constantly evolving, I gained my BA in Textiles at Goldsmiths in 2002. After graduating, I worked for ten years as a costume designer; I loved the sense of collaboration, working alongside dancers, choreographers and artistic directors, balancing functionality and aesthetics within my designs. My career as a costume designer fuelled my love of narrative and movement within fabric and eventually the call to develop the drawings in my sketchbooks led me to an MA in Textile Design at Falmouth from 2007 to 2009. It was after finishing my MA that I started my journey as a textile designer in 2011, which in turn led me to explore printmaking as an artform. Alongside my work as an artist and designer I have the privilege of supporting the next generation of creatives in my role as a visiting lecturer at Falmouth University and as a lecturer at Penwith College, which creates great opportunities for connections and collaboration.