You might remember I featured a piece by Clare Knox-Bentham a little while ago in one of my Design How-to posts. I was completely intrigued by her materials and approach – free-form drippy drawings in plastic that warm and mould to your skin when you wear them.
They are fun. Lots of bright colours (she is especially fond of red, orange and pink) and quirky shapes; everything from flowers to faces to Día de los Muertos. They’re shiny too. What more could you ask for?
Clare Knox-Bentham – Neckpiece
Drawing is fundamental to Clare’s work. As a child, she drew pictures all the time, and one time even made her own Sindy Doll mansion out of shoeboxes, drawing in all the wallpaper and interior decoration herself.
“Drawing is a mainstay of my practice and I was interested in getting the line off the page somehow and into three dimensions. I investigated various techniques and through trial and error and with the help of some interesting people finally came up with my current technique.” These pieces come from Clare’s unique adaptation of an industrial process using heat-extruded EVA plastic, and result in very direct and fluid forms.
“I tend to jump straight into producing work and see what comes out! My work has always been about experimentation and trying new things so I try not to think about things too much and try to develop ideas through the making process. I draw a lot, so even if I’m not ‘designing’ a piece I find drawing frees my mind up to think creatively – so I could be drawing some horse chestnut shells for example and find I’ll have a great idea for a new jewellery fastening.”
Clare Knox-Bentham – pink hello
Clare Knox-Bentham – private commission
On the down side, she struggles with the dichotomy between creativity and order. “I’m very messy and I hate it – I like order and clarity otherwise I can’t think properly. However when I’m working I get so into it that I start pulling out other things and different pieces of equipment so stuff ends up everywhere. Then I have to leave it as I have to run off to pick up the kids or cook dinner so it stays there until next time… depressing.”
Clare originally worked in adult education, but decided to become a full-time mother after the birth of her second child. “After 18 months I realised being a stay-at-home mum was NOT for me and I was climbing up the walls! I enrolled on an Art Foundation Course – something I’d wanted to do at 18 but was ‘persuaded’ to do something more ‘sensible’ like teaching – and ended up absolutely loving it, so became a full time Design undergraduate at Manchester School of Art.” She studied 3D Design at Manchester, and has since done a BDes conversion course in Creative Business Development.
“I still wanted to teach, and had a keen interest in art education in schools as my children were both in primary school. I am lucky enough to also work part time at Manchester School of Art’s Outreach Programme, promoting and supporting creative practice in art and design in schools around Manchester.”
Clare Knox-Bentham – small red faces
Clare Knox-Bentham – flourish ring
When it comes to her own practice there have been some tough times financially, but Clare says one of the hardest things has been self-doubt and lack of confidence. “Leaving the supported environment of uni to work on your own is really hard. You begin to doubt yourself and your abilities and even your reasons for doing it at all. Once you get out there and start doing trade fairs, exhibitions and gallery shows you realise everyone has felt like this at some stage, even the most successful and lucrative artists/makers/designers! I’m moving to a communal studio soon and I can’t wait as I’ll be able to talk to other makers when I hit a ‘blue patch’ instead of glumly sitting on my own contemplating my own navel.
“The icing on the cake is living the dream! This was what I always wanted and with a lot of hard work and some sacrifice I’ve got a really good life doing exactly what I want to do.”
Clare Knox-Bentham – from her sketchbook
Inspirations are many and include Ernesto Neto, a Brazilian artist and Guiseppe Penone, an Italian artist, intriguing for the way he utilises Nature in his work. “I love the ingenuity of polymath Thomas Heatherwick (another 3D Design alumnus from Manchester School of Art btw!), but my absolute best is Louise Bourgeois – her work is very dark but you could tell she had a wicked sense of humour.”
Clare feels greatly indebted to one of her tutors, CJ O’Neill, a ceramics/lighting designer. “I got so much incredible advice from her that I’m not sure I’d be doing what I’m doing now without her help.”
More generally, “The most useful practical advice is how to price your work properly, seriously considering all your outgoings such as studio running costs as well as material costs and making time. The best personal advice is to be true to yourself – if you start compromising too much you’ll soon stop enjoying what you do.”
You can find more of Clare’s work on her website here. She is represented in carious galleries across the UK, and has recently taken part in the international jewellery exhibition Flourish at the Kath Libbert Gallery.