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©Sylvain Delau
©DEWI TANNATT LLOYD
©DEWI TANNATT LLOYD
©DEWI TANNATT LLOYD
©DEWI TANNATT LLOYD

Claire Curneen

  • Ceramicist
  • Cardiff, United Kingdom
  • Master Artisan
Claire Curneen Ceramicist
©DEWI TANNATT LLOYD

Ceramics that explore the soul

  • • Claire is renowned for her intriguing figurative sculptures
  • • Her creations investigate human feelings and emotions
  • • Porcelain, terracotta and black stoneware are her materials of choice

Claire Curneen has a vivid memory of the moment that determined the path that she was to follow for the rest of her life. “I was 12 or 13, and we were living in County Kerry, Ireland. My father had just returned from visiting his brother in Madrid, and had brought me a little clay bird that my aunt, who is a painter, had made in a small kiln in her kitchen. I thought it was extraordinary, and I realised it was possible not only to build things with your hands, but also to actually make it your job.” Claire's monochrome creations, occasionally heightened with the subtle use of colour and gold, have always revolved around the human figure, which she represents in dramatic poses, juxtaposing their fragile nature with the intensity of the emotions they evoke.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
  • ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
  • ©Sylvain Delau
  • ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
  • ©Sylvain Delau
Photo: ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
Anam Cara

The perspective of Anam Cara (“soul-friend” in Celtic) allows us to enter a world of ancient belonging. This sculpture depicts a woman covered in flowers. The figure is hand-built using a pinching technique, then covered with individually modelled flowers and finally fired at 1140°C.

Photo: ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
Daphne

This half figure statue depicts the ancient Greek nymph Daphne, who escaped from Apollo by being turned into a laurel tree. The figure was made from black stoneware with details of blue and gold, with branches growing out of her body.

Photo: ©Sylvain Delau
Rise

This sculpture depicts a reclining woman with her hair covering her face. The figure is resting on a tree root like form, and she could be rising or falling. The sculpture is hand-built using a pinching technique, and the hands, feet and face are subsequently modelled. The piece is glaze-fired to 1280°C.

Photo: ©Dewi Tannatt Lloyd
Over My Dead Body (St. Sebastian)

A representation of Saint Sebastian, this figure has removable arrows protruding from his body. Much of the modelling is focused on the hands and face. Cobalt blue flowers bleed and blur over the surface of the body, creating a sense of movement, with flecks of gold lustre over the blue glaze.

Photo: ©Sylvain Delau
Still Life

This sculpture depicts a woman covered in flowers. The figure is hand-built using a pinching technique and then covered with individually modelled porcelain flowers. The piece is fired to 1280°C.

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