About
Claye Bowler (b.1995) is an artist living and working in West Yorkshire. His work explores the archive - the body as an archive, hoarding as archiving, and looking at the political priorities of history. He is interested in how queer and trans narratives specifically have been perpetually hidden, erased or destroyed.
Bowler uses sculpture and performance to subvert these practices in his own practice as well as creating space to showcase and support other queer and trans artists in Yonder - a residency programme and project space based in his own house and in the remote location of Slaithwaite. It offers a safe space to work as well as a retreat into nature.
More recently, Bowler’s work has focused around the isolation of lockdown paired with the physical transition of his body: the lead up to surgeries and the violence of the (stalled) wait involved under the diminished funding and care of the NHS.
Claye has a strong connection to sound and music, this is used throughout his performance work, experimentation with his voice and field recordings as well as in traditional folk singing. He is one of the Young Curators for Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and is the Musical Director of Yorkshire Trans Choir.
He uses he/him pronouns only.
CV
Solo Exhibitions
2018
- Value in the Personal - University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
- Reykjadalur Valley (Window Residency) - KiN, Huddersfield
2017
- Same (Residency) - Arboretum Park, Derby
Group Exhibitions
2021
- -The Cold Black Rain Shall be your coat - Yonder Gallery for hcmf//, Huddersfield
- Queer Constellations, MERL, Reading
- Sick! - with Ro Hardarker, Yonder, Huddersfield
2020
- Queer Contemporaries, AIR Gallery, Manchester
2019
- Restricted Access, Kin, Huddersfield
- Inspired Huddersfield, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
- Enclosed, KiN, Huddersfield
- Save Ryebank Fields, Link Gallery, Manchester
- Queer Ways of Being, 35 Chapel Walk, Sheffield
2018
- Novus, Wharf Chambers, Leeds
- TDOR, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds
2017
- Fabricating Image, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
2016
- Migrations (workshop exhibition), University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
- Archival Interventions, Heritage Quay Archive, Huddersfield
- Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate
- Stonewall Season, London
- Inspired Huddersfield, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
Curation
2021
-The Cold Black Rain Shall be your coat - Yonder Gallery for hcmf//, Huddersfield
2019
- Restricted Access, Kin, Huddersfield
Talks/Performance
2021
- Measured Transition, Commissioned by Yorkshire Sculpture International & Henry Moore Institute, performed at Leeds Art Gallery
2019
- Before you get home - Double Okay Group - Reading
Publications
2019
- Moor Accessible
- Value in the Personal
2018
- Queer Easter Zine 2018
2017
- Queer Easter Zine 2017
Education
2021-2022
University of Leeds - Art Gallery & Museum Studies
2015 - 2019
University of Huddersfield - Textile Practice: Textile Art - BA(Hons) - First Class
Awards
2019
- Chancellors Prize - University of Huddersfield
2014
- New Creatives Award - First Prize - Derby University, Derby
Related Experience
Current
- 2021 - Artist Advisor -Threshold Sculpture
- 2019 - Founder & Director - Yonder Gallery, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield
- 2019 - Programme Assistant - The Tetley, Leeds
- 2018 - Musical Director - Yorkshire Trans Choir, Leeds
- 2013 - Support artist - Spiral Arts Collective, Derby
2021
- 2021 - PANIC! Steering Group Member - The Tetley, Leeds
- Young Curator - HCMF//, Huddersfield
- Technical Demonstrator - National Trust, Cheshire
2020
- Sculpture Network Member - Yorkshire Sculpture International
2019
- YSI Activator - Yorkshire Sculpture International, Wakefield
- Co-founder & Studio member - KiN Artist Collective & Project Space, Huddersfield
2018
- Visitor Experience Team - Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
- General Assistant - Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Collections and Gallery Assistant - Living Art Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Millinery & Embroidery Assistant - Philip Treacy London, London
2017
- Learning & Curatorial Assistant - Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
- Archival Assistant - Knitting & Crochet Guild, Huddersfield
- Learning Volunteer - The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield