A-Level Art & Design student’s had the fantastic opportunity to hear from Tees Valley Artist of the Year and long-time friend of the school Claire A Baker who delivered a talk to the class about her compelling research and creative practice. Her work is inspired by the communities of babushka’s living in Chornobyl. Following a moving presentation about her work and visits to the radiation site all of which informs her intricate pieces, students where able to see some of her beautiful work up-close and ask her questions.

Claire is one of the Tees Valley Artist of the Year recipients, a development programme that “supports an ambition to develop the region as an engine room for creative artists.” This prize has allowed her to develop her practice and research further. The successful artists were selected after a competitive process involving panellists from the region’s leading cultural organisations, Arts Council England, and TVCA. This funding has allowed her to take part in a number of activities to help boost her profile and expand her practice including a personal tour of the government art collection, a visit to Frieze London, meetings with leading creative organisations and a visit to Venice for The Venice Biennale!

Speaking of the visit to our Middlesbrough campus A-Level Lecturer Katie said; “We were so thrilled to have Claire come in to talk to our students about her adventures and experiences in Chornobyl. She shared heart-warming and heart-breaking stories from families and communities living in an area of devastation and huge historical significance. We were fortunate enough to see her incredible creative and inspirational artwork too. It was a very special, memorable and unique experience for all of our students.”

The talk was arranged by Course Leader Amanda Smith whom worked with Claire when the pair lectured together on our A-Level Textiles course (Claire also taught on our BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design degree programme).Amanda explained why Claire is such a great artist to speak to the students; “Claire is a practising multidisciplinary artist who had past experience of delivering A-Level, she was ideal to speak to students on contemporary practice whilst understanding how the qualification needed to be delivered. But really, where else are you going to get a practising artist working in Chornobyl, creating work which can be explained as conceptual, multidisciplinary, community art, and many other art fields on your doorstep?! She can relate to the students and understand what it is they need to hear at this very early stage of their career!”

She continued that “although her ideas of her work are challenging, her passion and work are not, they are beautiful epitaphs to a very unique situation and diminishing population.”

Hearing about Claire’s research opened up a new whole reality for the students, Sophia Howard said it was; “so fascinating to hear about these Babushkas, and their complex way of life, I couldn’t have imagined the connection between these people living in Ukraine in The Zone, Claire and Textiles – its just amazing where art can take you.”

Images taken by Howy White Photography

Her talk included film clips of the ladies living in Chornobyl receiving Claire’s work. Student Gemma Hollingworth said; “I found the whole session so interesting, hearing all about what Claire does for the Babushkas and seeing the clips of their bonds was just beautiful. The art she creates is absolutely stunning and the reactions when she gave the art over to them were so precious, it made me a little emotional to see, it’s so clear how kind-hearted Claire is and the work she does for them is so special.”

Student Emily Flemming agreed “from her visit and talk you can see her personal connection with not only the work but also with the people she has made a relationship with, showing how the art isn’t just about Chornobyl but about them and how she feels with the relationship she has made with them.”

In her collection of work, intricately crafted objects act as idols which represent the Babushkas with some having their faces integrated into the design. Like a relic, each has it’s own part of these women hidden inside, “like a little secret” she told the class.

Speaking of coming and speaking to the student’s Claire reflected “it was an absolute pleasure to return to the Northern School of Art to talk to the students about my past and current work and research. They were genuinely interested and some really insightful and emotional questions were asked.”

Keep up to date with Claire’s work by following her Instagram: @claire_a_baker

If you are interested in studying creative subjects at A-level we offer a number of exciting path ways to take, including Art & Design, Art & Design History, Photography and English Language. Find out more about them today.