Claire Curneen is a British ceramic artist, whose work consists of spindly, unnerving figures. The figures are representative of the Italian Renaissance.

Each character has a menacing presence and exists as an individual that has a narrative of its own. The ceramic figures are made from, porcelain, terracotta, and black stoneware. The variety of materials Curneen uses adds a different texture to each character, developing their personality and further pushes the theme of a narrative and storytelling. These figures are painted and extenuated with gold to highlight specific features of importance.

Thematic concerns that under pin the work are storytelling  death, rebirth and the sublime. these themes are expressed subtly and directly. I admire the way Curneen sculpts the figures and their face, each figure has a menacing, intrusive presence that can make feel  uncomfortable yet they are beautiful and incredible to look at. This brings back to the human narrative as life isn’t supposed to be perfect, it can be creepy and uncomfortable and unforgiving. The ceramic figures paint a perfect depiction of the imperfect life.