Sadie Clayton is a cultural tastemaker and sculptor known for her innovative work with copper, a material she specifically chooses for its healing properties and positive impact on mental wellness. With a background in Fashion Design, she seamlessly blends art, technology, and spirituality in her pieces, creating both physical and virtual installations that offer holistic health benefits to a wider audience. Sadie’s work has been exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition (2023 and 2024), the Tate, Bonhams, and the London Design Biennale. Her commissions include public sculptures for Sky Arts, The Ivy, and Blackbrick Club in South Africa, with a permanent copper sculpture at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.
Beyond sculpture, Sadie has explored storytelling through her podcast, ‘Black People Can’t Swim,’ which unpacks and challenges cultural myths with acclaimed guests. She has also appeared on television, featuring in Channel 4’s ‘Me & My Afro’ documentary, Sky Arts’ ‘Landmark’ as a contestant, and as a judge on CBBC’s ‘Britain’s Best Young Artist.’
We love working in the art industry because…
As a female copper sculptor, I find profound joy and purpose in my creative practice. Working with copper—a material both ancient and alive—allows me to express what often cannot be conveyed through words alone. There is something deeply meaningful about transforming this elemental metal with my hands, coaxing it from rigid sheets into fluid forms that speak to the human experience.
My relationship with copper is intimate and dynamic. I am drawn to its warm hue, its responsiveness to touch, and its remarkable ability to reflect negativity. Through twisting, hammering, and patination, I create pieces that capture both strength and vulnerability.
Creating art that provokes feeling is at the heart of my practice. Each sculpture is an invitation to connect, to pause, and to experience an emotional and spiritual response.
My work is also deeply tied to community. As a female artist in a discipline historically dominated by men, I create not only for personal expression but as an act of representation. By sharing my perspective through copper, I hope to inspire others—particularly young women and girls of mixed heritage—to see themselves as creators and shapers of their worlds.
I am best known for…
My copper sculptures. In a world that often feels disconnected, my copper works stand as tactile reminders of our capacity for connection, reflection, and transformation.
My biggest achievement to date is…
Besides my little boy, Koa…my permanent copper sculpture that stands 14ft tall as part of the sculpture trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.
We’re inspired by…
My upbringing. My mum always told me I could be whoever I wanted to be. My Jamaican-British fusion background taught me to flourish outside cultural norms, developing strength and tenacity that shaped my creative journey.
The current trends we’re loving are…
I’m not really one to follow trends, but there’s one thing I’ve always loved since my teenage years—dopamine dressing. Bring me all the colour!
Our favourite product right now is…
I’m obsessed with my pink mascara from Sephora at the moment!
My favourite place in the world to skip the crowds is…
My 8am sauna sessions on Friday mornings! I only learned how to swim in the last couple of years, so plunging into a barrel of freezing cold water after being in my happy place (the heat) is a big deal for me!
The best person to follow on Instagram for wedding photos is…
Leo — he captured our perfect day in the most incredible way. So grateful.
And finally, what’s next for me…
I’m preparing a new collection of smaller copper pieces for an upcoming exhibition in Dubai, partnering with a women-led gallery that champions female artists. Alongside this, I’m eager to expand my workshop offerings to brands, retail spaces, and hospitality venues this year, sharing the art of copper sculpting with wider audiences.
Find out more about Sadie Clayton’s work at http://sadieclayton.co.uk.
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