Clara Kelly is a Textile and Paper Artist who is based in South East London. Her Textile work often takes the form of sculptural, abstract figures, reminiscent of prehistoric idols. She is an avid researcher of world textiles and cultures and these influences can often be felt in her work.

Specialising in hand embroidery at Bath Spa University, Clara graduated in 2010 with first in Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors. This technique is a predominant feature in Clara’s work, as is the recurring theme of Identity.

Clara’s most recent work reveals coming back to prehistoric  ideas of ‘self’ and what it is to be an individual today. “We are often forced to be so many different versions of ourselves in our day-to-day we can get easily lost  and overwhelmed by outside pressures of what we think we ‘should’ be doing or the type of person we think we ‘should’ be”- she believes.

Through the filtering of these thoughts and feelings she reflected on the prehistoric idols and her interest in dolls and decided to do some self-exploration in the form of textile figures and embroideries. This unfolded into her ‘Identity’ series which is an ongoing project, exploring the many different people that reside within us all.

Clara is the first artist in residence at dept.con.temporary gallery and studio. The work created by Clara during the residency starting 9th January 2023 will be a part of her solo show opening at our gallery in February 2023.