This is the first in a series of “Where are they now” features, catching up with students who have exhibited their work in the learning centres in previous years.

Claire Lount was one of the first students to show her work in Adsetts, back in 2010.  Her sculptures went on display after being shown in the Creative Spark student exhibition.  Claire had recently completed the MA Fine Art degree course, and we were delighted when she brought her work in for us to curate.  Her sculptures quickly became part of the surroundings and have become a favourite with staff and students alike.  We asked Claire how her journey has continued since graduation.

‘Endgame’ – Sculpture by Claire Lount, MA Fine Art

 “Since I have left I have continued exhibiting and producing work when I can fit it round my other commitments! I have mainly been doing art work shops for children and art displays in schools.

This year I have started a PGCE at Sheffield Hallam to work with children with special needs as my passions do lie with teaching and using my creative skills in a classroom environment. I think studying at Hallam develops not only your artistic skills but also your ability to question, reflect and think philosophically about any job, career you may embark upon.”

“Endgame” was inspired by buildings that once stood along the East Coast of England.  As a result of coastal erosion the land beneath the buildings had been sucked away undermining their structure and leading to their demise.   Claire’s work focused on making something new by replicating something that was lost, neglected, abandoned and decayed. 

Endgame used formal qualities as an important element in the piece; craftsmanship, variations in scale and materials all being used to create an uncanny presence of the original in the replicated building.  

The sculptures reflected upon how an individual might ordinarily react to miniature buildings; how they are often perceived as beautiful and ornamental acting as a souvenir for a forgotten time and how as a viewer our reaction may be to romanticise, fetishise and long for that which no longer exists.   Contradictory elements come together in the piece; past and present, the homely and the uncanny, the fashionable and unfashionable.  These polarities play themselves out within the sculptures, presenting an image of the past in its uneasy place within the present.

Claire’s work is on display in the key text area of level 4, Adsetts.  Don’t forget, you can see some of the new pieces on display at Collegiate at our launch event on 27th November from 5.00pm.