PRESS RELEASE: Approximately 6,935 pieces

Local polymer clay artist, Claire Fairweather, is showcasing her first large mosaic artwork at the July exhibition at Beach Bistro. Titled ‘Watching the sunrise over Rangitoto’, this local scene is made up of about 6,935 handmade round polymer clay tiles. The whole artwork measures 102cm wide by 40cm high and forms the centrepiece of the exhibition.

 

“It turned out to be a labour of love but I am proud of the end result,” says Claire “I had no idea how long it would take to complete. In the end I spent over 150 hours and finished it just in time for the exhibition. This is a view that I love and I have enjoyed every minute of the making of this artwork”.

 

Claire won a ‘Best in Sculpture’ at the 2014 International Polymer Clay Awards for a three part sculpture titled ‘Spring Trio’, which was sold at a previous exhibition at Beach last year. Since then she has been developing her own unique style of contemporary mosaic art, making her own round mosaic tiles from polymer clay.

 

‘Mosaics, Jewellery & More’ is a mixed exhibition that has been put on by five members of the Auckland Polymer Clay Guild - Claire, Joy, Kesten, Nicky & Sue. Polymer clay is a very versatile creative medium, which is shown in this exhibition by the diverse range of work from the five different artists. There is jewellery, mirrors, mosaic art and sculpture on show throughout the month of July at Beach Bistro, 1A Beach Front Lane, Browns Bay, open from 7am – 7pm, seven days a week.

PRESS RELEASE: Local artist wins international award

Local polymer clay artist, Claire Fairweather, from Browns Bay has won ‘Best in Category for Sculpture’ in the 2014 International Polymer Clay Awards. It was for her three part sculpture titled ‘Spring Trio’.

 

“I am absolutely thrilled to have received this award” says Claire, “it is the first time I have entered an international competition, so to have received world-wide recognition will be a tremendous boost for my polymer clay art and teaching career”.

 

Thanks to funding from CreativeNZ, to cover travel costs, Claire was able to attend EuroSynergy (an international polymer clay conference) where the awards were announced. She was the only person from New Zealand at the conference, which had representatives from 29 different countries.

 

Claire has created a wide range of polymer clay artwork, which was shown in a successful exhibition last month at Beach Café in Browns Bay. If you want to try your hand at this very versatile creative medium, Claire will be teaching introduction and advanced polymer clay classes at Glaze Ltd on the North Shore, more details can be found at http://www.glaze.co.nz/craft-art-classes/polymer-clay-classes.html

 

PRESS RELEASE: Local artist representing NZ at conference in Malta

Browns Bay polymer clay artist, Claire Fairweather, is thrilled to have received grant funding from Creative New Zealand towards travel costs to attend EuroSynergy 2014. This conference from 30 April to 3 May, organised by the International Polymer Clay Association, will have seminars presented by the world’s leading polymer clay artists and practioners.

Claire also has one of her polymer clay artworks, a three part sculpture titled “Spring Trio”, selected by the jurors for the 2014 International Polymer Clay Awards Exhibition. The photo exhibition will be displayed and prizes awarded at the Eurosynergy Conference.

“Polymer clay is still in its infancy as a creative medium in New Zealand” says Claire, “I have started teaching others how to use polymer clay but there is so much more for me to learn as I am self taught. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to meet and learn from the masters, to improve my own skills and knowledge, which I can then pass on here in New Zealand”.

You can see “Spring Trio” and other examples Claire’s polymer clay artwork in her solo exhibition running throughout April at Beach Café at 1a Beach Front Lane, Browns Bay. It is a great place to have a coffee or food from the tempting menu, whilst enjoying the sea view and the artwork on the walls.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/662729837103512)

If you want to try it for yourself, Claire will be teaching polymer clay workshops and classes at Glaze, 17c Vega Place, Rosedale, North Shore (http://www.glaze.co.nz/craft-art-classes/polymer-clay-classes/polymer-clay-intro-class.html) and at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna (http://www.lakehousearts.org.nz/calendar/adult-weekend-workshops)

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PRESS RELEASE: Premo sculpture showing at the Lake House

The growing popularity of polymer clay as a fine art medium can be seen at the Members Merit Awards 2012 exhibition, at the Lake House Arts Centre, Takapuna.

 

‘Spring Trio’ is one of two exhibits from local polymer clay artist, Claire Fairweather. It was created with Premo Sculpey, a brand of artists quality polymer clay, now available from Gordon Harris art stores. On the theme of Spring, the three multi-coloured spheres represent different stages of growth.

Claire says: “I had great fun making these pieces and love the tactile nature of polymer clay as an art medium”.

The exhibition opens on 18 September and runs through to 7 October at the Lake House Arts Centre, 37 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna.

If you are tempted to try this oven bake clay for yourself, Claire offers ‘Introduction to Polymer Clay’ workshops, as she is keen to encourage more people to try this incredibly versatile creative medium. For more information about workshops, see her website www.clairefairweather.co.nz

20% off Premo Sculpey polymer clay at Gordon Harris art stores throughout September.