Claire explores the early migration of people to Australia, capturing the lost soles of early settlers, refugees and convicts. Taking inspiration from found objects to reveal the hidden stories and provide historical identity to lost souls, condemned to transportation, sentenced to a land beyond the Seas.
Lost Soles at Sea 2017 - Found objects, wood, leather, fabric, paper, aluminum, resin and antique pigment, H250 x W150 x D200cm
Claire Davenhall is an International Artist who graduated from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Sculpture, North Karelia Polytechnic in Finland & Athens School of Fine Art in 2000.
In 2004, Claire completed a PGCE in Art Education and became a Lecturer in Fine Art Sculpture, Ceramics, Life Drawing & Photography, was proudly awarded WINNER of the ‘Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning’ and nominated for two ‘National Beacon Awards in Art & Design’ in 2006/7.
She migrated to Western Australia at the end of 2007, where she focused on exhibiting in beautiful locations such as Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe, Swell Sculpture Festival in Queensland, Castaways in Rockingham & Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures in South Australia. She was awarded Winner of the Shinju Matsuri ‘A View to Asia’ in Broome 2016 & Major Prize Winner of the Drift Installation Awards 2017.
In 2018, Claire exhibited in Sculpture at Scenic World in NSW along with 39 ‘World Class’ artists & received a Creative Development Grant from the Department of Culture & the Arts in WA. She won the International Guest Panellist’s Choice Award, at the prestigious Walker Gallery in the UK, where her art events from Western Australia were recognized as having innovation and excellence in drawing practice worldwide. She received a Honourable Mention Award, for participation and distinction with her sculpture Lost Soles at Sea, in the international CFA Artist of the Year Awards in 2019.
Claire’s current touring exhibition ‘Lost Soles’, explores the multi-cultural migration of people to Australia through her sculptural work. She makes social comments from the pressures placed on the early settlers, to the journey of the migrants, refugees and convicts, travelling across the sea, in their search to reach a land of hope and dreams. Her work invites the viewer to take a closer look and brings together a sense of people & place through her art.
Professional Diploma in Photography from Courses for Success, 2014
PGCE Professional Graduate Certificate in Art Education from Lancaster University, 2004
BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art Sculpture from Grays School of Art in Aberdeen 2000
BTEC National Diploma in Foundation Studies for Art & Design from Blackpool & The Fylde College, 1997
Advanced Levels in Ceramics, Painting & Psychology from Blackpool 6th Form College, 1996
Convict Prayer Flags 2020 - Handmade rope and textiles, H45 x W1200 x D10cmSea of knowledge 2019 - World Book Encyclopedias, wine barrel, netting, colour changing red/gold pigment in resin, H90 x W170 x D280cm
Sea of knowledge 2019 - World Book Encyclopedias, wine barrel, netting, colour changing red/gold pigment in resin, H90 x W170 x D280cmLost Soles of Mary Rose 2020 - Found objects, mechanical parts, convict love token, resin, red pearl pigment, H20 x W30 x D30cm
