From the archives: Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn respond to land in textile

We're on the planet only once – we might as well get a feel for the place.

– Dorothy Caldwell
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From the archives: Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn respond to land in textile
What does it mean to know a place? For textile artists Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn, it begins with walking, listening, collecting – and letting the land leave its mark. In this rare and intimate conversation across three continents, these lifelong artists and friends reflect on pigment, place, and the deep, quiet power of working with cloth, soil, and time.

Show Notes

Takeaways from this episode

  • Place is more than geography – it’s a conversation.
    Whether in the Canadian Arctic, central Australia, or the Atacama Desert, Dorothy and Claire begin their work by asking: Where am I? Their practices are rooted in observation, presence, and the subtle dialogue between artist and land.
  • Materials carry memory.
    From local ochres and stitched maps to found wire and lichen, both artists let the land quite literally shape their work. As Claire says, “Pigments connect us back to the land – they are the land.”
  • There is no need to rush. Lulls in the studio are not failures, but fertile ground.
    “You’re still working,” Dorothy reflects. “You’re still observing and exploring. Sometimes a little break isn’t a bad thing – you go back with a fresh mind.”
  • Mark-making is a sacred act.
    For Dorothy and Claire, every stitch, every rubbed pigment, every collected object is a way of honouring place. These aren’t decorative choices – they’re a form of care, attention, and response.
  • Art is a form of belonging.
    “Becoming indigenous to your studio,” Claire offers, “means finding out who you are and what you want your work to be. The only way to do that is to make the work.”

Join the conversation

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Explore the artwork from this episode below

During the live interview, we shared some images of Dorothy’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below. 

01 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
02 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
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04 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
05 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
06 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
07 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
08 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
09 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
10 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
11 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
12 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
13 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
14 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
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16 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
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18 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist
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20 Dorothy Caldwell and Claire Benn - Friday Feature Artist

1 min read

By Take Two
Dec 22 2025

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