Lourdes University Welcomes Claire Clark as Artist-in-Residence for Spring Semester

Claire Clark, a multi-disciplinary conceptual ceramic artist from Bristol, England, has joined Lourdes University as the Artist-in-Residence for the spring semester.

Clark’s award-winning artwork explores female issues by navigating the intersections of feminist art and medical humanities. Her experimental sculptures address intimate and often painful topics, such as trauma, grief, and loss, particularly concerning miscarriage, fertility struggles, and the emotional toll of facing a hysterectomy. Her artistic practice is deeply personal, stemming from her experiences, which she transforms into thought-provoking pieces exploring sensitive subjects.

Through her work, Clark aims to express personal pain and encourage conversations about these often taboo topics, fostering societal reflection and understanding. Her sculptures serve as a means of self-expression and a vehicle for healing, with each piece intended to validate the experiences of others facing similar struggles. Clark’s mission through her art is to inspire empathy, understanding, and empowerment.

Clark holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Fine Art from Bristol School of Art, South Gloucester & Stroud University, and a Master of Arts in Fine Art from Bath Spa University.

As Artist-in-Residence, Clark will collaborate with Lourdes University, The Sisters of St. Francis, and The Toledo School for the Arts to introduce university, middle, and high school students to her conceptual approach to healing through art. She will work alongside Jordy Rengifo Poma, a professional ceramic artist and Pre-Art Therapy student at Lourdes, in the Alverno Studio located on campus. Together, Clark and Poma will be the speakers for the 2025 Sr. Jane Mary Sorosiak Art Lecture Series, where they will discuss the role of art in healing. Additionally, Clark will create works for exhibition at The Toledo School for the Arts and the Lourdes University Canticle Center Gallery.