Claire McCauley

Using clay I create narratives that are the reactions I have to loss, the desire for connection, and reflect the ebb and flow I have with my own mental health. Inspired by flora and the natural world, I utilize intricate and repetitive textures to represent all of the monumental emotions felt. The scale of my work invites the viewer to come closer and inspect the object on a personal level. Anxiety, stress, and intrusive thoughts are represented in the repeating textures, but also act as adornment for the piece. It is the way I have adapted and learned to grow with these parts of myself, I don’t try to shut them out completely, but I see them as part of me. I use clay as my preferred medium due to the tactility of it. I have always been drawn to unique textures; seeking out tactile sensory experiences has always helped me to feel grounded.