Klaire White
Klaire is a textile artist and loves producing work that is both decorative and traditional in its look but with a subversive social twist.
Klaire White
Location: Newburn, Newcastle.
Email: klairepurplespirit@gmail.com
Qualifications
MA Museum Studies, Sept 2003, Newcastle University.
BA Hons Art and Design, June 2000
Recent activity:
My ADHD Umbrella (due to be shown as part of ‘Shelter’ Outside In’s National touring Exhibition); is about living undiagnosed and the impact on my life. I made a video and posted on my YouTube channel about the process behind the piece. I made a series of these called ‘textile tales’.
I often include text and self portraits in work and recently created a series of small ‘protest’ quilts, inspired by posts on social media using embroidered text. One is in support of trans people’s rights and another is based on the poem ‘First they came’. My work has always been narrative but recently has become more overtly political.
Making textile tales videos: I began making these videos to explain some of the research and thinking behind my textile pieces. Often the research is extensive and there’s lots of hidden aspects to the work and I wished to showcase this. YouTube channel: @clairepurple-white1150, under Textile Tales playlist.
Exhibitions
My ADHD Umbrella: Selected as part of the National Outside In touring exhibition “Shelter”: My ADHD Umbrella, full video of the making available on my YouTube channel.
The New Art Gallery, Walsall. 28th June – 19th October 25
Christie’s London, 12th - 22nd January 26
House of Smalls, Edinburgh. ‘The ascent of man’ show: 23rd May – 21st June 25, showing “Discarded Rights”, sculpture made from non recyclable plastic and threads.
Wild and Free Gallery, Whitley Bay 23rd Feb – 15th March 25
Solo show called “soul conversations”. Including a meet and greet artist event.
House of Smalls, Edinburgh. ‘Time of her Life’ show: Oct 24, ‘Finding my Inner Warrior’: textile wall hanging. (YouTube Link of the making, https://youtu.be/RVNJJ3xSvCI?si=V0ZAkiDAf2sOenYx)
NewBridge Newcastle. Open Call, Sept 24. ‘Mary Magdalene’: textile quilted wall hanging.
Arts Centre Washington. Fact, Folklore and Fiction exhibition, August – Sept 24. ‘An Earl, a Well and a Worm’: textile wall hanging.
NewBridge Newcastle Collective: Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh, July 24. ‘Paper, Plastic, Cloth’: installation.
House of Smalls, Edinburgh. ‘Moral Fibre’ show: August 24. ‘Label Me’: textile wall hanging.
X-Church, Gainsborough. X24: July 24. ‘Paper, Plastic, Cloth’: installation.
Creative Central Newcastle – partnership with Helix Arts, Alphabeti Theatre and System Art Gallery. Public posting and zine of artworks across Newcastle upon Tyne. 1st June 2024 – throughout the Summer. (Addiction monster, featured on website showcased)
Hndle Magazine for writing and Artwork, winter edition, 2024 (digital)
Hill ArtsCentre, (Through Pink Collar Gallery) Neurodiverse Artist Exhibition,12th February 2024 - 20th March 2024 (physical as part of 3 other neurodivergent artists)
Circular Artspace, Flare: 28th August - 13th September 2023 (digital)
NewBridge Project (home exhibition) open call: Sept 22. ‘The Burning Anger’: textile wall hanging
Road to Recovery Trust, Newcastle: 2021- 2024. 4 pieces. These pieces shown are on the theme of addiction and recovery
Recent commissions:
Yoga cloth: decorative embroidered cloth with yoga poses and mudra symbols. May 2024
Mary Magdalene: decorative wall hanging based on the character of Mary Magdalene. March 2024
Altar Cloth: Pagan altar cloth with decorative stitching showing the sabats. 2022
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.