Claudia labin is a Carmel-based artist who specializes in Abstract Expressionism. Born and raised in Paris, she has taken her talents all around the world to Montreal, Rio de Janeiro, and Chicago before finally settling down in Carmel, IN. Her career in the arts began with creative writing, for which she holds an MFA. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines, and her plays have been produced in local theaters around the city. Through writing, she discovered her true passion: visual arts. Her collages use layers of color and texture to deeply engage with one's tactile senses. Her work is ultimately completed by the viewer's own private meaning and experience. Claudia Labin's art has been featured in numerous local galleries including The Raymond James Stutz Gallery, The Hoosier salon gallery, French Bleu, The IAC, Nickel Plate Arts, and the SALI exhibition.

Artist Statement

My approach to art is spiritual. I have always been attracted by mystery and mysticism. I try to shy away from the political, social commentary or cultural statements. I have always gravitated towards mixed media, collage, and assemblage because for me it is a way to solve a puzzle, to dive into the unknown and the unconscious, always looking for that elusive missing piece. My art is all about process. The idea comes first, then I find the material. The art comes out raw, unframed, authentic and unexpected.

When I was a teenager I underwent vocational testing and scored high in art and science which eventually lead to a wonderful career as a cardiologist. During that time my wife, feeling I needed a little stress relief, arranged for me to take a steel sculpture course. I was immediately taken with the medium. So much so that I built my own steel studio a few years later, where, now that I have retired, I spend part of every day. I find creating abstract sculpture a joyful, and in a way, a liberating endeavor. More often than not, I start with no plan whatsoever and simply bend and weld one piece of steel to another and wander to my heart’s content. After many years in a highly analytical career I am delighted to have found an entirely different way to express myself.

Irwin Labin