Claire De Witte

Textile sculptor

©Emma Watkins

Foraging for creativity

Claire specialises in making nature-inspired 3D textile creations
She uses a freestyle machine embroidery technique
Her inspiration comes from foraging in woodlands

When looking at the masterpieces Claire De Witte crafts it may be hard to believe that her objects are made of fabric. Her approach lies in ensuring that even the finest little details are considered and addressed, so as to make her pieces seem as realistic as possible. Claire has a first-class honours degree in 3D craft and design and started her artisan path in 2010. She uses traditional hand embroidery and combines this with innovative machine embroidery to produce textile works of mushrooms, bark, leaves, pine cones, and other woodland findings. Claire also uses natural ingredients for dyeing. “I like fusing the elements of historical techniques with risk-taking, using newer materials, to see where this can go,” as the artisan describes it. Her works capture little moments of natural beauty in stitches and draw inspiration from a plethora of flora and fauna and endless forest foraging.

Where

Interview

©Emma Watkins

©Claire De Witte

Why did you choose the textile craft?: Textiles were part of my childhood, so it has always been there. My interest in art has been continuous in various forms, though I felt my strongest talents and ability to develop the ideas I had became a reality through textiles and the endless options this offered.
When and how did you actually start?: The process has been ongoing throughout my life. It was after my degree that I was able to see the potential to begin creating the ideas I had. This involved learning, adapting, and testing various ideas. In 2010, it all came together and I started practising professionally.
What do you suggest to young people who wish to follow the path of craftsmanship?: To play and experiment as much as possible, try as many new ways as you can think of, test various materials to create what it is you want, and look at how this can then be developed. Do not stop asking questions and exploring the art form you are interested in.
Has there been a particularly memorable moment in your professional life?: During one of my exhibitions, an elderly lady turned to me in tears and thanked me as she could not believe how beautiful the piece she had just seen was. This, for me, was the defining moment when I realised I was in the right place and creating the work I should be.

Claire De Witte is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010