Claire Batt

I create jewellery that explores the narratives created by absent bodies in dress. I have a lifelong passion for historical dress, which, coupled with my fascination with museums and archives, drives my practice to investigate and deconstruct garments, in particular those that have alterations or damage.

After ‘interviewing’ a garment to discover the narratives about its maker or wearer, which may be truthful or invented (I decide), I create jewels that that shed light on their hidden histories. These jewels often incorporate pieces of the garment, which are given new roles and values once repurposed.