Claire Baker Q and A

Creative Factory is an idea. By putting artists and creative thinking at the core of our approach, our factory will make new opportunities for Middlesbrough, where artists are not only welcomed, but listened to, nurtured, developed, supported, and given a much wider perception of success and a broader understanding of what a long term career can be. 

The Creative Factory Q&A is a short informal look at an artist’s practice and current work.

  1. Where are you based and how long have you been there? Stockton on Tees — for many years
  2. Where do you work? Studio, home, kitchen table, cafes, elsewhere? Tell us a bit about your workspace / work habits, etc.
    1. Home attic studio and at night – I stitch on the sofa in front of the TV.
    2. My studio space is large and full of inspirational objects, old sewing machines and materials.
    3. Sometimes I use the fantastic facilities at The Northern School of Art – depending on equipment required.
  3. What does ‘success’ mean to you?
    1. Being known for own work in the local and wider community. 
    2. Being offered opportunities on the strength of past works.
    3. Being paid for exhibitions/commissions.
    4. Having the luxury of choice.
    5. Doing something you love.
  4. Do you earn a living from making art? If not, or only partially, what else do you do? The main source of my income has been full time employment in education as an HE lecturer for 14 years. In effect I have worked 2 full time jobs, one of which was paid. Recently I was awarded a studentship from Northern Bridge Consortium and so will be working full time on a practice based PhD.
  5. What makes good art?
    1. New ideas & a fresh approach.
    2. Investigation of subject.
    3. Experimentation and practice.
    4. An interesting narrative.
  6. What have you been up to recently? Tell us about any recent exhibitions, projects, residencies, etc. In the last 3 months I have been researching & making new work for a commission from Bowes Museum #untitled10 2019, making new work for a solo exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery, I have travelled twice to Ukraine, spent a week teaching workshops in Slavutych about lost craft and the importance of continuing its legacy to youth audiences, collaborative work with Nicola Golightly and Lesley-Anne Pace and been invited to submit an application for a residency overseas.
  7. What have you got coming up, exhibitions, residencies, studio etc?
    1. Getting a paper published in Clothing Cultures Journal.
    2. Opening and run of solo exhibition: Place, Home, Loss, Legacy at Hartlepool Art Gallery.
    3. Opening & run of #untitled 10 2019 exhibition at Bowes Museum October-February 2020.
    4. Travelling to Chernobyl (research trip).
    5. Travelling to Siberia to present my work, teach workshops & exhibit.
    6. PhD by practice. (up to November 2019)
  8. What, if any, are the main barriers you come across?
    1. Arts Council.
    2. Artist Fees.
    3. Funding.
  9. How do you feel about the current and future state of art in Middlesbrough / UK It is much improved, it is becoming very exciting and many more local and up and coming artists are being given a chance to become involved in a thriving ‘art scene’ which is very refreshing.

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