Statement and Bio
My sculptures are beautiful and delicate, yet made by violent deformation of materials. They are shiny and alluring, yet twisted, imbalanced, and sharp. They capture the fragile balance I strive to maintain during my mixed state bipolar episodes. Mixed state is the simultaneous experience of depression and mania that manifests as intense aggression and intrusive thoughts. I experience mixed state episodes the most and though at times they are terrible, disruptive, and uncontrollable, they force me to think about how I want to live my life and what I need to do to take care of myself. I believe that in my madness there is also beauty that gives me clarity, drive, and purpose.
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Claire R Lynch was born in Arlington, Virginia and began her sculpture practice while at Stanford University. Lynch graduated in 2014 with a BA in Art Practice and was the recipient of the Louis Sudler Prize for Performing and Creative Arts from Stanford University.
In 2014, Lynch moved her practice to San Francisco, California, where she completed residencies at Recology and Root Division, and was the recipient of the Blau-Gold Fellowship.
In 2017, Lynch returned to the east coast to pursue her MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in the Rinehart School for Sculpture program. At MICA, Lynch was the recipient of the Perna Krick ‘31 and Reuben Kramer ‘32 Fellowship, the Amalie Rothschild ‘34 Fellowship, the Sidney Lake Award, Outstanding Student-Achievement Nomination, and the Graduate Merit Scholarship. Lynch graduated with her MFA in spring of 2019.
In 2024, Lynch became a studio artist at the Workhouse Arts Center in Virginia.