Lenka Clayton in “Human Nature”

Lenka Clayton was born in 1977 in Cornwall, England, and lives and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her BA from Central Saint Martins College of Art in 1999 and her MA from the National Film and Television School in 2006. Clayton’s practice is rooted in a close observation of the world around her, highlighting the myriad ways we record our lives and relationships, and create moments of magic through simple gestures and mundane materials. Making films by organizing strangers by age, creating sculptural installations of dangerous objects made child-safe, or installing exhibitions in the windows of local businesses, the artist draws inspiration from her community in Pittsburgh, her family, and the world around her. In doing so, Clayton creates a body of work that centers on the beauty of the everyday and the power of human connection.

Educator Guides provide information about selected artists and themes, questions for classroom discussions, and hands-on activities that provide students with a fundamental understanding of creative and critical thinking processes.