Paola McClure - Profile
Profile
Paola McClure was born and brought up in Dundee, the daughter of Scottish Painter David McClure (1926-98). She trained in Illustration and printmaking at DJCA and after graduating returned to a lifelong love of "playing with fabric and improvising". She began to experiment with creative embroidery and the work rapidly began to have bulk and form, evolving from softly pillowed frames and portholes for pieces of embroidery to padded wall hangings and full sized soft sculpture figures.
Paola spent many years as an art teacher in the west of Scotland before returning to Dundee to start a family. Having taken a long time out to devote to her children's early years Paola began experimenting with small scale work using mixed media to create a series of caskets and "bone dollies". It was the opportunity, as part of the exhibition "Women's Work" with five other Dundee artists, to decorate a full sized coffin that brought her back to working on large scale textile sculpture.
The influence of Paola's father can be seen in her work, not just in the rich colour palette adopted but also in the iconic use of the female form and occasional use of religious imagery. Paola at times tips a deliberate nod towards her father's early "Infantas" and one of her pieces "And the Blood Cannot Get Through" echoes the decorative depiction of bleeding hands in his "Stigmata Siciliana".
Although Paola's work is brash, bright and humourous the work can have a darker edge to it and distortions of proportions can lead to a sense of unease. This unease can be exaggerated, as with any figurative sculpture, by the very physical presence of the work. The eyes, however, do not follow you round the room...
Paola has work in private collections in Britain, Canada and Australia.
FROM GALLERY IN THE AIR CATALOGUE
"sisterhood of the book of heart"
"There is an element to the work of Paola McClure's soft sculpture that suggests a gentle corseting and containment of the female force. Her sketches show shapes that are more spirit than structure. Using wiring or tubing, the skeleton is fixed into the foam body which is then shaved into shape. Then using reclaimed fabrics their flesh features and clothing are fashioned and stitched firmly into place.
There presence in a room is almost custodian. Like the giant moia of Easter Island, they are totems that bear challenge, seek adoration and offer allure."
SOLO SHOWS
2008: "Journeys and Discoveries" The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar, Angus
2004: "Sisterhood of the Book of Heart" Gallery in the Air, Dundee
2003: "And Cobwebs in my Soup" Dundee Rep Theatre Cafe
1985: Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
1984: The Backroom Gallery Festival Show, Edinburgh
1982: "Stitched" The Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
GROUP SHOWS
2006: The White Gallery, Dundee.
2006: SSA, Edinburgh.
2005: "About the Work" Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.
2005: Aberdeen Artists, Aberdeen.
2005: Wasps Open Exhibition, Dundee.
2004: Aberdeen Artists, Aberdeen.
2004: Wasps Open Exhibition, Dundee.
2003: The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh.
2003: Aberdeen Artists. Aberdeen.
2003: Wasps Open Exhibition.
2002: The Compass Gallery, Glasgow.
2002: Frames Gallery, Perth.
2001: "Women's Work", The Arts Society. Dundee.
1999: SSA Edinburgh.
1997: "Jar" Seagate Gallery, Dundee.
1996: "Works on Paper, Seagate Gallery ,Dundee.
1992: Aberdeen Artists, Aberdeen Museum and Art Galleries.
1992: Meadowmillians, Wellgate Dundee.
1991: Verdant Works, Dundee.
1991: Meadowmillians, Kirkgait, Dundee.
1987: Paisley Annual, Paisley Museum.
1987: RSW, Edinburgh.
1985: Embryo, Bonar Hall, Dundee.
1985: Working Artists, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.
1985: Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
!984: SSWA, Edinburgh.
1984: Moray House, Edinburgh.
1984:
Fair Maid's House, Perth.
1983: SSWA, Edinburgh.
1983: RSW, Edinburgh.
1983: Working Artists, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.
1982: SSWA, Edinburgh.
1982: The Gallery. Cupar, Fife.
1981: SSWA, Edinburgh
PUBLICATIONS
500 Handmade Dolls: Lark Books 2007
"Sisterhood of the Book of Heart" catalogue 2004
AWARDS
Dundee Visual Arts Awards 2007
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
1976-80
Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art
BA Hons Illustration and Printmaking
1980-81
Dundee College of Education
Scottish certificate in Secondary Education
1981-83
Teacher of Art
Auchenharvie Academy, Stevenston, Ayrshire.
1983-86
Teacher of Art
Kilwinning Academy, Ayrshire.
1986-90
Teacher of Art
Acting Head of Department
Turnbull High School, Bishopbriggs, Dumbarton.
