Claire Barker is from the UK, based in Ostuni and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Claire trained at Portsmouth Art College as a jeweller then did a degree in 3D design at Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in ceramics and metalwork. She continued learning and retained in Cambodia in 2014 to perfect her silversmithing skills.
Claire makes “Architecturally inspired jewellery with Puglia in mind” which will be for sale at The Lifestyle Emporium.
You can also find her work in Siem Reap at her workshop and at Apopo visitors centre. Claire is working with her team on ideas for jewellery incorporating Buddhist prayer beads in silver, which are traditionally worn around the waist by women under their clothes.
She has worked with disadvantaged women to train them to become jewellers; this is usually a trade dominated by men. Her inspiration comes from the temples, the people and traditional Khmer patterns and designs seen in stone and woodwork.
