Could you tell us briefly what you make? 

I am an artist of light and movement. I create metal sculptures, mainly mobiles or illuminated sculptures. My mobiles are like moving paintings. Creating kinetic sculpture is fascinating, as you have to imagine how your shapes will interact with each other as they are dancing in the air. The results are always a welcome surprise.

Designing illuminated sculptures is also a mind-bender. You create the object but you have to imagine how it will interact with the light and what kind of shadows and reflections it will cast. This intangible element is an invaluable addition to my work, creating a lot of interesting subtleties. It is kind of magical, really.

What inspired you to make your pieces, or how, conceptually, did your work come to be?

I am fascinated by shadows, reflections and the impermanence of things. Nature’s fragility and its capacity to adapt to different circumstances are among the themes that nurture my work. Inspiration comes from glimpsed moments; the play of light and shadows through a leafy canopy, flying clouds, stormy seas and an endless pebble beach. I translate these imprinted images onto my work by the repetitions of dots, organic shapes and the use of light and metallic reflections.

Why do you make craft?

I just can’t stop making. If too much time goes by without me making something with my hands, I become restless. Life throws a lot at us, in the form of experiences, encounters, emotions, visual stimuli, etc. Making is my way of processing my daily life. When I create, I reflect and give physical shape to what is influencing me. Words have never come easily to me. While people talk about their day, I will make a sculpture instead! 

Has your work evolved over time, if so, what has that looked like?

My work went through multiple iterations throughout my art career. I have always been curious about learning new mediums and techniques and it has been a strong component of my evolution as an artist. Throughout the years, my practice has encompassed painting, design, illustration & sculpture. Switching from one form of expression to another nurtures my work and it allows me to stretch my mind and find new ways to express myself. Many don’t understand how much art is about problem solving! The more mediums you interact with, the better you are at finding connections and refreshing your approach to your art. As I grow as an artist, my works are getting bigger, less conventional and more innovative. I will never stop pushing myself so the newest piece I am working on is better than the last one I have just finished!

Are there ideas, values, beliefs, or concepts that your work communicates? Could you tell us a bit more about that? 

My sculptures are an invitation to daydream. I believe in doing nothing, just letting your mind wander and seeing where it might go. There is a lot to be found in this semi-consciousness state. Daydreaming is a lost art in these times of total connectivity. Everything goes so fast and we occupy any idle moment by staring at our phones. Looking at art is a great way to ease yourself into a more relaxed state of mind. As you look at abstracted shapes and patterns we forget about our daily life and reconnect to our imagination, dreaming the impossible and envisioning new possibilities.

What would you say to emerging or young craft artists?

If your work and practice bring you joy or passion or just an emotional reaction, keep going. Ultimately what you make and why you do so is entirely up to you. With the pressures of social media and the desire to make monetary gains I think we tend to lose sight of the innate reasons creatives are drawn to making. I know I have lost my passion in the past and coming back to my practice with the purpose of just making something purely for myself has helped me find joy and freedom in my craft again.

Images in order of appearance

• Claudine Gevry in her studio
• Indian Summer Orb lamp
• Double Orbs
• Claudine Gevry in her studio