claire cotterill mosaics
Birmingham
I’m an artist based in Birmingham with a great love for all things creative.
From a young age, creating has been therapeutic for me, giving an outlet and
response to the changing world around me. In my late teens I took a traditional
route studying Fine Art, going on to use my skills to support communities and
people of all ages. This included working with play schemes and youth groups,
bringing as many creative experiences as I could – despite incredibly low
budgets! Over the years I developed a passion for mosaic and began to specialise
in creating large scale mosaic installations, initially within educational and
community environments. What I love about mosaic is its accessibility for all,
and the collaboration and teamwork it brings. As a process I enjoy watching
people’s confidence grow, the relationships built along the way and the pride
shared in the finished product of a permanent installation on a wall or in the
ground that the whole community can enjoy & share. I love that my work becomes
part of a shared history for those that have worked on it, been part of the
commissioning process and have inspired it. I consider myself a visual
storyteller and enjoy helping others to share their stories in a unique and
engaging way. I love exploring new places, meeting new people and creating
bespoke and site-specific artworks. I relish the challenge of meeting a client’s
brief, whatever that may be and have vast experience working with a wide range
of clients over the years, working creatively in many differing environments.
Throughout my career I have explored other media and methods within my
commissions, moving from a purely handmade traditional approach, to
incorporating digital media and new technologies. This fresh approach has
expanded my vision of what can be achieved in my public artworks allowing me to
widen my practice and include other mediums. It has also equipped me with new
skills that I enjoy sharing through public participation and my ability to offer
a wider scope of media in my response to the needs of commissioners. I’m excited
to further this innovative approach and as a member of the Crafts Council and
STEAMhouse Birmingham, I look forward to continuing to explore my digital and
technological skills in the future. Each commission excites me and is a new
adventure and I pride myself in delivering high quality permanent artworks,
delivered on time and within budget. Please do not hesitate to contact me to
discuss any projects you may have in mind!
