Friends have paid tribute to an ‘outstanding and exceptional artist’ whose death is at the centre of a murder investigation.

Claire Knights, from Upstreet near Canterbury, was last seen in the village on Wednesday morning.

The 54-year-old mum is believed to have been walking her dog through the Minnis Bay area of Birchington when she went missing.

Shortly after 7pm on Friday, officers discovered her body between St Nicholas At Wade and Minnis Bay, a day after a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He has since been detained for assessment by medical professionals.

A well-known figure in the Kent art community, Ms Knights has been described as a “bright and intelligent thinker.”

In 1992, the sculptor achieved a first-class honours degree in fine art, and last year graduated with a distinction in her masters from The Margate School.

In the early nineties Ms Knights’ work took her to Japan, Tibet and China, and later she returned to the UK, teaching art for two years at prisons.

Remembering Ms Knights, director of The Margate School, Uwe Derksen, said: “Claire and her partner would often visit the school following a walk with their dogs and would spend time viewing exhibitions and talking to friends.

“Claire was an outstanding, exceptional artist and student, and anyone who had the privilege to see her work would no doubt agree.

“She was a loving person and her work reflected that.

“Her sculptural work had elements of humour and wit about it, determination, something that went with her personality.

“When she graduated receiving a distinction, her pieces of the show were overpowering and some went on to be shown elsewhere.”

Mr Derksen said Ms Knights took parts in workshops outside her MA studies, for example contributing to the school’s part in a national creative coastal campaign, to highlight rising seas ahead of G7 summit in 2021.

He finished: “The tragic circumstances of her death are very upsetting, and all our condolences and thoughts go out to Claire's family and partner.

“Claire’s presence will be sorely missed by the TMS community, especially her former fellow students and friends here.

“Memories ofand with her, such as our trip to Normandy a few years ago, will remain as a fond memory.”

It was during her time at The Margate School that Ms Knights met friend Lucy Lyons who has also paid tribute to the “extremely talented artist”.

Speaking on Instagram, she said: “We had all taken a leap of faith and embarked on the exciting journey of the then-new MA at The Margate School.

“I taught Claire until her graduation in 2022.

“She was an extremely talented artist, a bright, intelligent thinker, a strong-minded feminist who did not suffer fools, especially the ship of fools we find ourselves bound to in these turbulent times.

“Rest in Power Claire. You won't be forgotten.”

Billie Vigne was also a friend, who was expecting Ms Knights to attend her show Flat 4 - Old Arthur's Bequest on the day she went missing.

Speaking on Instagram, the metalsmith said: “I met Claire on the MA when I made the majority of the work in this show and she offered me endless help, advice and encouragement.

“Her own work is riotous and joyous and hilarious and political and dark, all rooted in the most awesome old artisanal practices, rendered in huge proportions- stone carving, steel, lead, glass, wood.

“Basically, she and her work is hardcore.

“We shared a fury, a black humour and a love of the hallucinatory madness of early analogue children's TV animations - she affirmed the way I wanted to work and shaped this show, without realising, by being a champion of my choices and helping me feel vindicated that illness is not weakness.”

According to her website, Ms Knights’ work was twice selected for Osaka Triennale, 1993 and 1995.

These accolades enabled her to make artistic pilgrimages throughout Japan, where she studied gardens, architecture, and culture.

Between 1993 and 1995 Ms Knights taught art in two prisons and in 1999 she took some time out after having her child.

Ms Knights was also a regular face at the community interest group Beach Creative in Herne Bay.

Director Mandy Troughton said Ms Knights was “always smiling and was a constant joy to work with”.

She added: “She was a very clever, multi-talented artist as a painter, printmaker and sculptor and we worked with her on an idea she had to create the largest painting in the UK.

“She wanted to get into the Guinness Book of Records and she did try, but I don't think she quite managed it.

“She had this idea of using the Herne Bay disused hockey pitch and it was enormous.

“She created this wonderful seascape and the whole community got involved.

“There were seahorses and sealife and it was the most amazing project and it was all part of the Herne Bay festival in 2017.

“She was so talented and always keen to help people ...”

“The news was such a shock to all of us, it is unbelievable and we can't take it in.

“Claire also mentored artists doing their MAs, she was so talented and always keen to help people.”

Yesterday, Kent Police confirmed a murder investigation has been launched after a post-mortem was completed.

Ms Knight’s vehicle, a silver Suzuki car, was recovered from Shuart Lane, St Nicholas At Wade.

On Wednesday, she is believed to have walked from there to the Minnis Bay area of Birchington, where she is reported to have been seen later that afternoon.

Police said that her dog, a springer spaniel, was found running on Minnis Bay beach without a collar or lead and was taken to the police.

There will be an increased police presence in the area as searches by specialist officers and enquiries by a team of detectives continue.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call 101, quoting reference number 23-1922.

If you have other CCTV or dashcam footage please upload it here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4601020123F08-PO1

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the anonymous online form on their website.