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Claire Rookes

Discipline:

Community, Artist

Location:

Bradford

ABOUT:

For over fifteen years, my practice has been rooted in the transformative power of participatory arts, serving as a facilitator, educator, and catalyst for creative dialogue across diverse communities. My journey—from being the first in my family to pursue higher education, culminating in an MA in Fine Art, to working on large-scale civic initiatives like BD2025 City of Culture—is fundamentally about bridging divides: between theory and practice, the personal and the public, and marginalised voices.
​My work centers on tangible, accessible media—predominantly printmaking and creative journaling—chosen for their ability to foster deep reflection. Whether teaching the layered process of print to young people and refugees, or guiding women through the intimate self-discovery of journaling, my goal is always empowerment. I utilise the creative process not just to teach a skill, but to build confidence, facilitate therapeutic processing, and celebrate the rich, untold narratives of participants.
​Recently, my focus has expanded into Land Art, a practice that grounds my commitment to accessibility and connection within the natural world. This shift reflects a desire to move beyond institutional walls, creating ephemeral, site-specific work that engages the public directly with themes of place, legacy, and stewardship.

WORKS:

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'Working Class Creatives' responds to a need which is too often overlooked in the arts; that of the barriers facing working-class artists from getting on in our sector. They are instrumental in initiating much-needed change that will see the art world become more inclusive and reflect the society it purports to serve. I often search their database in my research, it is a vital resource for any arts professional working in culture today. That they have got this far on so little financial resource is remarkable and I am excited to see what they will achieve with further support.” Beth Hughes, Curator, Arts Council Collection.

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©2025 Working Class Creatives Database.

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