Clare Hillerby
.jpg "Graffiti Necklace, 2009. Photography by Shannon Tofts")
Handwriting forms my starting point; old papers featuring handwritten messages by unknown characters are sourced, interesting sections are extracted; messages becoming ambiguous, they are then combined with new metalwork, and contemporary stories emerge.
Fragments of writing appear as pattern with only hints of the original meaning. Contrasts of writing styles, scale, line, shape, colours are important contrasts; and combining these found characters create new conversations. Old and new sit together in each piece I create, the precious and non-precious, decorative and minimal, the linear and the solid.
The ephemera collected includes postcards, letters, envelopes, plus old stamps for added colour, pattern and imagery, linen maps with printed words, lines and symbols, and sepia photographs of unknown characters.
Original papers are layered with newly created metalwork elements which are influenced by markings, textures and lines from our current urban environment. Details of yellow gold tube riveting are used to construct parts of the work to reference an industrial landscape; and our new history being created daily.
After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1997 Clare Hillerby has continued to live and work in Edinburgh. She has collections in galleries across the UK, Europe and USA and regularly exhibits in solo and selected group exhibitions.
www.clarehillerby.co.uk