Claire Beausein and washi paper

About Claire

Spirit of Place & the Natural Environment

Claire Beausein has held 26 solo exhibitions, both in Australia and internationally. In 2022, she was the overall winner of the prestigious Mandorla Award, a significant national honour. Claire has also won numerous Western Australian awards and has been selected for national exhibitions, including several Mandorla Awards and multiple Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prizes. Claire has been commissioned to create large-scale works for the Westin, Intercontinental and Ritz-Carlton. Her professional development includes residencies at the Paper Mill and the Natural History Museum of Basel in Switzerland, as well as the Awagami Paper Factory in Japan. Claire has also undertaken workshops in woodcut in Tokyo, etching in Castlemaine, and traditional Japanese papermaking arts on Shikoku Island. Claire's work is part of prominent collections both in Australia and abroad.

"I spend countless hours in my studio, my favourite space where I can fully immerse myself in the creative process. Here, I reflect on how to transform my impressions and ideas into meaningful artworks. My practice explores a range of interconnected concepts, from the relationship between nature, spirituality and Eastern philosophies to scientific theories about the universe such as quantum mechanics and panpsychism. I also investigate philosophical ideas like the meaning of beauty and the nature of time, striving to express these complex ideas through my work.”

“This exploration not only nourishes my soul but also leads to deeper understanding, sparking even more inquiry. The contemplative nature of my work stems directly from these reflections, with the creative process often becoming a journey that uncovers truths or realizations along the way.”

"A plethora of ideas compete for expression, leading me to engage a variety of appropriate media, each one influencing the others in a dynamic, interconnected process. My passion for the tactile shapes my work—especially my love for hand-formed paper, the sculptural qualities of which invite touch and interaction. The lustrous, intricate forms of wild silk cocoons have become another important media for me, symbolizing the constancy of change. I also take joy in arranging objects into assemblages, where each element harmonizes with the others, creating a rhythm that imparts an intimate resonance.”


Claire Beausein

1984 - Bachelor of Arts (textiles) - The Sydney College of the Arts

+61404258603

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2024 - ‘Smells like rain’ - Bennett Gallery, The Benalla Art Gallery, VIC

  • 2023 - ‘Elixir’ - Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA

  • 2022 - ‘Claire Beausein - A Textural Survey’, Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA

  • 2021 - ‘Gilgai’ - Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA


  • 2018 - ‘Pure Land’ - Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA


  • 2016 - ‘Uncommon thread’ - Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA


  • 2014 - ‘Watermark’ markings of nature - Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, WA


  • 2013 - ‘Reef Matrix’ - Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth City, WA


  • 2012 - ‘Still Life’ - The Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland


  • 2011 - ‘Beloved’ - ARTspace7, Broome, WA


  • 2009 - ‘Oper-Arte’ 2009 - ARTspace7, Broome, WA


  • 2007 - ‘Artopia’ ARTspace7 - Broome, WA


  • 2007 - ‘The River’ - Beatty Gallery, Sydney, NSW


  • 2006 - ‘Claire Beausein - New Works’ - The Bay Gallery, Broome, WA


  • 2006 - ‘Focus on Claire Beausein’ - Gecko Gallery, Broome, WA


  • 2005 - ‘EON elements of north’ - Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA


  • 2005 - ‘Moire Coast’ - Beatty Gallery, Sydney, NSW


  • 2005 - ‘Elements of North’ - Pearlers Row Gallery, Broome, WA


  • 2004 - ‘Claire Beausein’ - Monsoon Gallery, Broome, WA


  • 2004 - ‘Pindan Country’ - Beatty Gallery, Sydney, NSW


  • 2003 - ‘Silent Echo’ recent works - Short Street Gallery , Broome, WA


  • 2002 - ‘Undercurrent’ - Monsoon Gallery, Broome, WA


  • 2001 - ‘Claire Beausein - Recent Works’ - Alta Gallery, Sydney, NSW


  • 2000 - ‘Studio 7’ - Walcott Street, Broome, WA

  • 
1999 - ‘The Day’ - Hollywood Gallery, Sydney, NSW


  • 1992 - ‘Land, City and Sea’ - Green Iguana Café, Sydney, NSW


Awards

  • Overall winner, The Mandorla Art Award - 2022

  • Finalist, The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, The SA Museum, Adelaide: 2014, 2012, 2010

  • Finalist and selected to tour, The Mandorla Art Award - WA: 2014, 2010

  • Winner, Shinju Art Awards, Broome, WA: 2010, 2009, 2003

  • Overall Winner, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2008

  • Textiles Award, Shinju Art Awards, WA: 2016

  • Best Work by a non-Indigenous Artist, Hedland Art Awards, WA: 2013

  • Works on Paper Award, Shinju Art Awards, Broome, WA: (2013/2005/2003/2002/1999)

  • Best 3D work, Hedland Art Awards, WA: 2010, 2009

  • Oil/Acrylic Prize, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2009

  • Mixed Media Prize, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2009

  • People’s Choice, Shinju Art Awards, Broome, WA: 2007

  • Inaugural Horizon Power Award, Shinju Art Awards, Broome, WA: 2006

  • Watercolour Prize, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2003

  • Artistcare Award, ‘She’ Walker St. Gallery, Melbourne, VIC: 2002

  • Mixed Media Prize, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2002

  • Highly commended, Perth Royal Show, WA: 2011

  • Highly commended, Watercolour, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2014, 2005

  • Highly commended, Drawing/Pastel, Kimberley Art Prize, WA: 2006

  • Highly commended, Oil/ Acrylic, Shinju Art Awards, Broome, WA: 2002


Residencies & Professional Development

  • Mokuhanga workshop, MI-LAB Tokyo, Japan: 2018

  • Residency, Awagami Washi Paper Factory, Japan: 2015

  • Summer Workshop, Awagami Washi Paper Factory, Japan: 2015

  • Residency, The Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland: 2012

  • Residency, The Paper Mill, Basel, Switzerland: 2012

  • Residency, Old Customs House, Fremantle, WA: 2007


Commissions

  • 2019 - Four assemblage and three paper works for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Perth

  • 2018 - Two monumental works in sandstone relief for The Westin Hotel, Perth

  • 2017 - Four major works for The Intercontinental Hotel, Perth


  • Mid Career Fellowship, The Department of Culture and the Arts WA: 2012

  • Creative Development Grant, The Department of Culture and the Arts WA: 2016

  • Development Grant, The Department of Culture and the Arts WA: 2015

  • Arts WA, Artflight Grants: 2005, 2004, 2003

Grants


  • ‘Women of the West’ - Linton and Kay Galleries - Perth -2023

  • ‘Water - Above and Below’- Linton and Kay Galleries - Perth - 2019

  • 50 x 50 Exhibition - Linton and Kay Galleries - Perth - 2018

  • Rangeland’ Claire Beausein’ - artist feature, Off Centre Gallery, Milawa, Vic - 2017

  • ‘Contextual’ Claire Beausein & Stephen Eastaugh - Broome, WA - 2016

  • ‘Casting Light’ Beausein, Joubert & Reish’ - Linton & Kay Gallery, Perth, WA - 2015

  • Invited Artist, ‘Mine Own Executioner’ - Mundaring Arts Centre, Mundaring, WA - 2009

Selected Group Exhibitions


  • 2006 - ‘Beyond the 26th Parallel’ - Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA

  • 2006 - ‘Ora’ site specific installation 25th July - Broome, WA

  • 2003 - ‘Jazz Collection’ - Broome Arts & Music Festival, Broome, WA

Installations,
Collaborative
Events


  • St John of God collection, WA

  • The Mandorla collection, New Norcia, WA

  • Wollongong University, Works on Paper Collection, NSW

  • Shire of West Kimberley, WA

  • Shire of Broome, WA

  • Numerous private collections

Collections