Ceramics fair bars artist over gender views
A CERAMIC artist is embroiled in a cancel culture row with a leading arts college after she had her talk cancelled because of her gender-critical views.
Claudia Clare, 60, had been booked two years ago to display and discuss her work about women escaping the sex trade at Ceramic Art London, the UK’s staple ceramics show.
The exhibitors event takes place in April at Central Saint Martins, a leading 170-year-old London arts college.
But earlier this month, Ms Clare was told her talk was no longer welcome because of the threat of protest that “might put the show itself under threat”.
As a feminist, she has used social media to outline “gender-critical” views on the transgender debate – that biological sex is binary and cannot be changed.
Ms Clare was not due to discuss trans matters but rather her ceramics project, “And the Door Opened”, which focuses on women exploited by prostitution.
She was told by the show’s organisers the Craft Potters Association that it will now “not be able to invite you to speak” following a vote.
Some 60 ceramic artists, potters and curators have written to the association demanding Ms Clare’s talk be reinstated and accusing it of “giving in” to threats.
Ms Clare now plans to take legal action. She said: “There is a problem in the arts world with a massive attack on the right to free expression.”
A spokesman for the Craft Potters Association said: “It was made clear to us that Claudia’s presence may cause the fair to be disrupted.”