Quai Antoine I Art Studios – A conversation with Claire Héraud

Tell us about your background and your artistic practice
I graduated from the Pavillon Bosio school of art in Monaco, where I did a lot of work with installations, often focused around themes of femininity.
My work draws inspiration from many religious images. This is largely influenced by my Catholic education and the images associated with that.
For example, I worked on church censers, salvaging lace from doilies belonging to my grandmother, who was a lacemaker in Venice.
I began a series of paintings about rabbits, and quickly realised that I was interested in this subject because of its symbolism, playing on the paradox between purity, the sacred and the profane.

What does the Artists’ Residency in Monaco offer you?
The Artists’ Residency in Monaco allowed me to get into painting, a discipline that I hadn’t previously considered. So I began the rabbits series, and another series inspired by AI-generated doll’s house decorations, reflecting the obsession that I’ve had for small spaces since childhood.

Where can we see your work?
In collaboration with other artists in residence at the Quai Art Studios, I’m working on a sculpture for the Monaco Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka.
Finally, I’m also working in fashion. I took part in Milan Fashion Week in February, where I managed backstage, and was more recently involved in Monaco Fashion Week, working on set design and performance.