Claire Frampton – portfolio

Contact the artist

Claireframpton3e[at]hotmail.com

Exhibition information

My exhibition shows the development of my creative ideas, taking the concept of fragments as inspiration for textile design. I developed my ideas as part of coursework for the certificate Hand Embroidery, Creative Crafts Skill Stage 4, which I studied for with the School of Stitched Textiles from 2022- 2024.

As part of initial research in 2022, I reflected on some small mosaics I had created previously, in 2016, which I had made with ceramic fragments. These took inspiration from the Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. In 2022 I also looked at the Japanese art of Kintsugi which involves the repair of broken porcelain and ceramics using lacquer dusted with gold powder.

I bought some ceramic fragments for use in the design process. For design inspiration, I looked at artefacts which had been on display in the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, these included a reconstructed Roman storage jar. Also, artefacts in a recent exhibition Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality (February – July 2023) – Painting of the restored Ladies in Blue Fresco from the Palace of Minos at Knossos by Émile Gilliéron (1850 – 1924). This work illustrates reconstruction of a fresco from original fragments and depicts vibrant textiles. Also an ancient Greek coin with a labyrinth design, dated 300-270 BCE.

My exhibition showcases textiles which demonstrate a range of techniques. These techniques were explored at home, also at classes and workshops.  I undertook further work on one sample and completed the Double sided wall hanging with reconstructed Roman jar design, after I had finished the hand embroidery course in 2024. My painting onto pottery was completed outside of the course, as I continued to be inspired by fragments.

Recently I have developed skills in machine embroidery and have experimented with crumb quilt block technique- the shapes produced and the random arrangement of fabrics is evocative of fragments. 

Artist information

My name is Claire Frampton. I graduated from BA Art History/ History from Goldsmiths College in 2005. In 2007 I graduated from MA Fashion Curation from London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. In 2013 I completed MA Arts Policy & Management from Birkbeck College. From 2020-2024 I studied for Hand Embroidery certificates with the School of Stitched Textiles. In 2023, I attained the professional development award Associateship of the Museums Association.