Claire at Nicoli studio, Carrara, Italy 1992. Photo by Moreno Maggi |
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One project during summer had been to document hundreds of drawings in my archives from my early days working in Carrara, Italy, when I was learning how to carve marble. My figures were simple and androgynous figures. I had been studying the work of Carl Jung and his theory of the animus, which represents the masculine aspect in women, while the anima represents the feminine aspect in men. These archetypal images are based upon both what is found in the collective and personal unconscious. My focus was on the integration of the male and female anima/animas archetypes in my own journey towards self-realization. On Sundays, I spent my time drawing and studying Italian. The archways that were present in the architecture all around Italy became a symbolic portal of the soul where the anima/animas integration and transformation takes place. |
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Click on images to view further details. Journey Home Series 1988-1991. Mixed media drawings |
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Giorni dei Morti- All Souls Day- Day of the Dead- Halloween |
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The Italians pay respect to their dead relatives on All Souls Day, Giorni dei Morti when they visit cemeteries are have family meals. This spiritual holiday celebrating the beginning of winter and respect for the dead has roots back 2000 years to the Celts in Ireland and was called Shamhain. With the upcoming holiday, I would like to pay tribute to two people who were important parts of my early days in Carrara who recently passed away. |
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Photo from a visit in April 2023 with one of my sculptures from 1992 on her desk. Lugano, Switzerland. |
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Christine Bader ran the well known Studio Nicoli in Carrara when I arrived in 1988. She was passionate about sculpture and artists and her encouragement was instrumental in my ability to dedicate my life to my career. Allessandro Mosti was an accomplished artigiano and sculptor who worked at Nicoli and assisted many famous sculptors after he opened his own studio in Massa/Carrara, Mostiartsculpture. As we go into the season of turning dark and inward and gratitude, I would like to thank you all for the support! Warmly, Claire |
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Claire with Allessandro Mosti at Nicoli studio, Carrara, Italy 1992. Photo by Moreno Maggi |
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Taking Wing at Welcome House in Kansas City, MO |
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We have just installed Taking Wing, in the new facility of the Welcome House in Kansas City, MO, a thoughtfully designed rehabilitation home for men who have undertaken the courageous journey of life-changing substance abuse recovery. Taking Wing is a symbolic sculpture about transformation and healing. The figure represents the human struggle of suffering during the process of transformation. The wings are symbols of freedom, flight, and a connection to an ethereal spiritual plane and awakening. It is an honor to have one of my sculptures become a part of this community. |
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Photos of our collaborative installation with some of the Welcome House residents. |
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represented by the following galleries |
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