Claire Rhodes, based in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Working within the context of a family environment I construct work vicariously as a way to attempt to visualise and reflect back the hidden disabilities of my two children. Listening to their detailed descriptions and endless physical, mental and emotional ramifications of hidden pain I then manifest 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.

Currently completing final year of Fine Art BA (Hons) at Colchester Institute