About
Claire Rhodes, based in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Working within the context of a family environment, she constructs work vicariously as a way to attempt to visualise and reflect back the hidden disabilities of her two children. Listening to their detailed descriptions and endless physical, mental and emotional ramifications of hidden pain, she then manifests these descriptions through a variety of methods, disparate objects, techniques and drawn or sculptural forms. The work is then shown back to her children to be, potentially, validated or rejected as appropriate visual responses, thereby giving them the opportunity to locate and validate their own feelings as well as, hopefully, raising awareness about what is a serious and deeply misunderstood issue.
Solo and group exhibitions
2026 - The Granery, Flatford (Carry on Constable)
2026 - Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester - (Open conversations)
2026 - The Minories, Colchester (In Our Time)
2026 - Beecroft Gallery, Southend (CAS at 80)
2025 - Colchester Institute ('Untitled')
2024 - The Minories (Summer Exhibition)
2023 - We are the Minories, Colchester (You do you, pop up)
2023 - The Hay Gallery, Colchester Institute
2003 - The Science Park Cambridge (Beginnings)
Collections
2003 - The Science Park - x2 Paintings
Commissions
2023 - Seafront Art Trail, Clacton Creatives
2023 - Clacton Art Trail, Clacton Creatives
2005 to 2008 - Private sculpture collections
Publications
2025 - Artstoheartsproject Studio Visit Book Volume 5
Other
2026 - Visual Arts Open Longlisted Artist
2025 - Cuckoo Farm graduate scheme awardee
Gallery education
2023 - The Minories - volunteer invigilator, group curator and participant
Education
2021 - 2025
BA Fine Art (Hons), Colchester Institute
2002 - 2003
NVQ Specialising in Fine Art, Cambridge Regional College
2000 - 2002
Art and Design GNVQ, Cambridge Regional College