CLAIRE EPPLEY
Claire Eppley is a visual artist whose work is deeply influenced by Japanese culture, particularly the philosophies of Wabi-Sabi and Ichi-go Ichi-e. Through material, form, light, and memory, her practice explores the beauty of impermanence, the uniqueness of lived experience, and the shifting relationship between artwork, viewer, and space.
Wabi-Sabi embraces imperfection, simplicity, and the transient nature of things. This philosophy is central to Claire’s artistic approach, where nature acts as both subject and collaborator. Drawing from the elements of earth, fire, wind, and water, she chooses materials and techniques that reflect nature’s raw power, fragility, and fleeting beauty. Claire works across a wide range of materials, including fabric, metal, glass, and stucco. Her practice continues to shift and evolve as she experiments with each material, allowing every collection to reveal new depth, texture, and direction.
Her work often exists in the space between painting and sculpture. Claire considers how form, surface, color, and light interact with the surrounding environment. As the viewer moves and day turns into night, the work changes; shadows appear, textures emerge, and depth shifts. In this way, each element becomes an active medium, shaping perception and inviting the audience to engage physically with the piece. The work is not fully experienced from one position, but unfolds through movement, time, and presence.
The philosophy of Ichi-go Ichi-e, which honors the uniqueness of each unrepeatable moment, further informs Claire’s work. Her pieces capture personal moments that resonate with the universal human experience, highlighting the deep connections that exist within our individual journeys. A simple memory, such as the first time one played catch, may be unique to each person, yet the gesture itself becomes a shared thread. Claire’s art invites viewers to reflect on their own histories while recognizing the moments, emotions, and experiences that quietly bind us together.
Wabi-Sabi embraces imperfection, simplicity, and the transient nature of things. This philosophy is central to Claire’s artistic approach, where nature acts as both subject and collaborator. Drawing from the elements of earth, fire, wind, and water, she chooses materials and techniques that reflect nature’s raw power, fragility, and fleeting beauty. Claire works across a wide range of materials, including fabric, metal, glass, and stucco. Her practice continues to shift and evolve as she experiments with each material, allowing every collection to reveal new depth, texture, and direction.
Her work often exists in the space between painting and sculpture. Claire considers how form, surface, color, and light interact with the surrounding environment. As the viewer moves and day turns into night, the work changes; shadows appear, textures emerge, and depth shifts. In this way, each element becomes an active medium, shaping perception and inviting the audience to engage physically with the piece. The work is not fully experienced from one position, but unfolds through movement, time, and presence.
The philosophy of Ichi-go Ichi-e, which honors the uniqueness of each unrepeatable moment, further informs Claire’s work. Her pieces capture personal moments that resonate with the universal human experience, highlighting the deep connections that exist within our individual journeys. A simple memory, such as the first time one played catch, may be unique to each person, yet the gesture itself becomes a shared thread. Claire’s art invites viewers to reflect on their own histories while recognizing the moments, emotions, and experiences that quietly bind us together.
