Clare Robertson (Missfire)
BORN:
Clare Robertson was born in Tredworth, Gloucester, England.
EARLY LIFE:
Clare developed an early fascination with creativity and making, later influenced by a diverse range of inspirations including Mother Nature, as well as artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, H.R. Giger, and Antoni Gaudí. Her passion for motorbikes, particularly custom built choppers also played a key role in shaping her desire to work with metal and pursue a hands on, industrial craft.
LIVES:
She is based in the Forest of Dean, England.
EDUCATION:
Clare trained extensively across both academic and practical disciplines. She studied blacksmithing and fabrication at S. Burvill & Son in Cobham, Surrey, and worked as an Assistant Blacksmith at Forest Green Forge near Dorking, Surrey. She also gained a City & Guilds qualification in AutoCAD from Farnborough College of Technology. Clare completed a BA (Hons) in 3D Design: Metalwork & Jewellery at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, Farnham, and previously achieved a GNVQ Advanced in Art & Design at GlosCAT.
CAREER:
After facing initial challenges finding work in her chosen field, Clare secured a position with an artist in Dorking before moving on to work with an architectural metalwork specialist. Following three years at university and a further three years gaining industry experience, she established herself as a self employed artist and maker. Since then, she has built a successful independent practice, specialising in expressive metal sculpture.
MATERIALS:
Clare works primarily with metal, applying traditional blacksmithing and fabrication techniques to create robust and highly detailed sculptural pieces.
STYLE AND SUBJECTS:
Her work is bold, imaginative, and often surreal, combining organic forms with mechanical and fantastical elements. Influenced by nature, mythology, and iconic artists, her sculptures frequently feature dynamic, otherworldly forms that reflect both strength and fluidity.
AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS:
In July 2013, Clare won first prize in the Headgear category at Art Couture Painswick for her piece Environment: Stable, inspired by Poseidon’s hippocamps mythical half horse, half fish creatures. She was also awarded a Heads About the Rest trophy. Her work has been featured in several publications, including The Country Blacksmith by David McDougall, books on the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley by photographer Chris Morris, and the Art Couture sourcebook.
Clare Robertson (Missfire) art for sale from The Sculpture Park is detailed below:
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Clare Robertson (Missfire) £2,340 inc VATLarge Steel Colourful Floral Sculpture – Nigella, Love in a Mist by Clare Robertson (Missfire) (Unique)
Nigella, Love in a Mist by Clare Robertson (Missfire), Coloured mild steel
Unique coloured steel sculpture of a blue nigella flower. The common name for the flower is Love in a Mist.