{"id":20858,"date":"2025-03-26T11:28:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T11:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affordableartfair.com\/inspiration\/meet-claire-knill-installation-artist-hampstead-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:02:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:02:27","slug":"meet-claire-knill-installation-artist-hampstead-2025","status":"publish","type":"inspiration","link":"https:\/\/affordableartfair.com\/inspiration\/meet-claire-knill-installation-artist-hampstead-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet our Hampstead installation artist: Claire Knill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re thrilled to welcome Claire Knill, represented by Lara Bowen Contemporary<\/a>, as our installation artist for Affordable Art Fair Hampstead<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her breathtaking suspended sculpture, The Willow Tree<\/em>, will take centre stage in the main atrium, transforming the space with movement, light, and reflection. We caught up with Claire to chat about her practice and what inspires her work. Plus, Lara Bowen, Founder of Lara Bowen Contemporary, shares advice on how to bring suspended sculpture into your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to meet Claire and discover Lara\u2019s expert tips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Claire
Claire Knill, represented by Lara Bowen Contemporary. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Suspended sculpture by Claire Knill. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Can you start by telling us about your journey into suspended sculptures?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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My background is in multimedia textile design, and looking back, my work has always had a sculptural quality. I\u2019ve long been fascinated by the balance between construction and deconstruction, and my journey into suspended sculpture evolved naturally from wall hangings and traditional decorative crafts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Details of artwork by Claire Knill. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Over time, I became drawn to movement and shadows – how a sculpture can change throughout the day with shifting light and airflow. I wanted to explore composition over time, much like the way a tree sways in the breeze or light dances across a surface. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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“Much of my work is inspired by fleeting moments.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Claire Knill<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What inspired The Willow Tree<\/em>?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Much of my work is inspired by fleeting moments – light shifting through leaves, the rhythm of movement, or the way a space feels. For this installation, I wanted to explore the role of nature in urban spaces – how a sense of openness and connection can foster creativity and play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking back to my own childhood, I remembered a huge willow tree I used to play beneath. It felt vast, its branches creating a world of its own. That feeling of awe and belonging is something I wanted to bring to the fair – offering visitors a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with something bigger than themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Suspended sculpture by Claire Knill. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Has living by the seaside in Hove influenced your work?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes! The expansiveness of the sea, the sense of time slowing down, and the way the horizon constantly shifts has absolutely shaped my approach to art. It\u2019s taught me the importance of stillness and reflection, which in turn allows for renewed creativity and engagement with the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Collage, Claire Knill. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hanging fabric in the studio. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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“I rarely plan my sculptures on paper – I prefer to build and experiment, allowing the materials to guide the process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claire Knill<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What does your creative process look like?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I rarely plan my sculptures on paper – I prefer to build and experiment, allowing the materials to guide the process. A big part of my work is about observing movement and balance, so I spend as much time adjusting and refining as I do creating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I start by making small maquettes, taking photos and videos along the way. Sometimes I use collage and embroidery as warm-up exercises to get into a flow. The final sculptures come together layer by layer, with light and movement always in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also love collaboration – whether with other artists, viewers, or even the space itself. Art is about interaction, and I\u2019m always excited to see how people respond to the work. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Claire Knill’s desk. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Claire Knill’s workbench. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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“Achieving the right balance and equilibrium is key”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claire Knill<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\"Claire
Claire Knill working in the studio. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What challenges do you face when creating suspended sculptures?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Achieving the right balance and equilibrium is key. If a sculpture isn\u2019t weighted correctly before it\u2019s fixed in place, it can collapse, meaning I sometimes have to take it apart and start over, which requires a lot of patience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At large scales, it\u2019s also a very physical process – climbing ladders, balancing my own body while assembling, and pushing my limits to bring the vision to life. Outside of my art, I practice climbing and sea swimming, both of which help me stay strong and grounded, which is essential for this kind of work. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“The sculpture is about expansiveness, but also playfulness and joy, which we sometimes forget to make space for in our busy lives. “<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claire Knill<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Claire Knill working on The Willow Tree, installation artist for Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 7 \u2013 11 May. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What do you hope visitors take away from The Willow Tree?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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I want people to pause, breathe, and feel connected – to themselves, to others, and to something larger than everyday life. The sculpture is about expansiveness, but also playfulness and joy, which we sometimes forget to make space for in our busy lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also see rest as something active and energising. It’s not just about slowing down, but about renewal and inspiration. I hope The Willow Tree<\/em> creates a moment of dynamic rest, where visitors can reflect, but also feel uplifted and engaged. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Artwork by Claire Knill, installation artist for Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 7 \u2013 11 May. Photo by Graham Turner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How does living with a kinetic artwork change a space?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lara Bowen, Founder of Lara Bowen Contemporary<\/a>, shares her advice: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike static paintings or sculptures, kinetic art is always shifting. It responds to the light, the air, even where you stand. It adds a sense of life and rhythm to a space, making it feel fluid and dynamic rather than fixed. It\u2019s almost like having a quiet presence in the room that subtly changes throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your installations are breathtaking in large spaces! How can buyers incorporate smaller sculptures into their homes?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lara Bowen, Founder of Lara Bowen Contemporary<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suspended sculptures can add texture, personality, and a sense of movement without overwhelming a space. They work beautifully in windows, stairwells, above dining tables, or tucked into reading nooks, where they can interact with natural light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a more playful, layered effect, they can also be hung near paintings or wall art! I love seeing Claire’s work alongside Becky Blair\u2019s paintings, for example. The way they interact adds a three-dimensional, moving quality to her work.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Claire Knill (@claireknillart)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n