Claire Malet

My inspiration comes from nature and from the characteristics of the metals I work with. What interests me is the transformation of materials and objects and their perceived value. I collect and draw natural and eroded forms; often these are 'vessels': sea-worn shells, nutshells, eggshells and bark. I am inspired by their sculpted shapes, rich textures and colour, their fragility, their cracked and split edges. I have become increasingly interested in the contrasts between these natural containers and man-made containers. A drinks can, for example, is such a common object, used and discarded, of little beauty or value. A fragment of shell found while walking on a beach can become a treasure, although like the drinks can it did its job and was discarded.

I collect used steel cans and scrap copper with which to work. Each vessel is worked entirely with hand tools. The interiors are gilded with genuine gold leaf and copper leaf, bringing a distinctive richness and volcanic appearance to my work. I take an experimental approach to working with metal, allowing the medium to suggest a direction and often pushing it to the limits of workability, accelerating decay. This has led me to discover techniques that produce qualities similar to those found in nature. Through this process I aim to transform a mundane man-made object into a form to be treasured. The result is a fusion of intentional form and the natural characteristics of the medium.

Prices range from: £215 - 473

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