Claudia Hickel

I am a German artist who discovered at an early age that my most essential “happy places” are when I loose myself in the tranquility of nature and the world of creativity. Inspired by several artistic talents within my family I grew up expressing myself through paintings, drawings, writing and sculpting. 1993 was an important turning point in my life by both meeting my Australian future husband in the wilderness of the French Pyrenees as well as being accepted as one of only sixteen students into the prestigious Munich Holdzbildhauerschule (Wood and Stone Carving School).

After graduating from my 3 years of studies in Munich I moved with my husband to Australia continuing to experiment and practice various art forms including drawing, painting and sculpting in various media. I reconnected with my love of clay sculpting in 2019 when I became a member of the Buderim Pottery Group. Since 2021 I have been participating in the Sculpture On The Edge exhibitions.

Living in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland, I continue to wander through national parks. In the stillness of nature, where the world slows down I find endless inspirations. Art has always been a way of life for me, a process of intuitively decoding and communicating what matters most. My creations are brought to life in my hinterland studio overlooking a wilderness garden. Many of my sculptures tell stories of our inner journey, reflecting the beauty of nature or the tenderness of the human body