Claire Coles

After many years living and working in London, Claire Coles now resides in her home county of Norfolk and is one of the Fairhurst studio holders. Claire laps up her home surroundings, gaining inspiration from the rural Norfolk landscape and the nature it has to offer; documenting the flora and fauna in her textile based decorative motifs. Combining layers of different materials such as faux suede and leather, silks, wallpapers, gold leaf and hand painting using a range of textile processes including printing, appliqué and free hand machine embroidery, Claire creates luxurious surface patterns. Using the foot of her sewing machine like a pencil, Claire creates fluid and organic lines, that allow her hand cut fabrics to come together and bloom in her contemporary take on traditional chinoiserie. 

Along with working with an array of brands such as Missoni, Perrier Joet, Paul Smith, Ted Baker and stocking work with Liberty London, Claire has had success exhibiting in Arts fairs, group and solo exhibits, such as her Walking Through Flowers (2021) exhibition with us at the Fairhurst Gallery; her debut exhibition since returning to Norfolk, as well as the annual studio holders shows we hold.