The Story Behind the Art

I create textured wall art by hand. My practice is grounded in the experience of discovery. The works often appear simple or minimal at first glance but reward sustained attention. As time is spent with them, layers of labour, variation, and subtle complexity begin to surface. Across drawing, stitching, plaster, grid systems and UV-printed images, I’m interested in how perception shifts through duration. A stitched drawing reveals hours of handwork. A grid exposes hundreds of small deviations. A still surface becomes turbulent up close. An abstract image reveals itself into a specific place. Rather than delivering everything immediately, the work allows meaning to unfold at an individual pace. Each encounter is slightly different depending on how long it is viewed and what is noticed. In this way, the work is less about a single fixed image and more about how attention operates, how looking itself becomes the art of noticing.
BACKGROUND
This practice grew slowly from small beginnings, shaped by years of travel, a background in the corporate world and a long-standing creative thread that slowly came into focus. Balancing motherhood with creative work has been a gradual and fulfilling journey. I create whenever I can, letting the process grow organically alongside family life. I leave small traces in each piece as a reminder that making with care includes accepting change over time. The marks, textures and natural variations are part of the work’s life, meant to be noticed and appreciated as they age. I hope that seeing these natural variations in my work encourages others to begin and to find beauty in imperfection.


INSPIRATION
My inspiration comes from many places: nature, everyday surroundings, memories or whatever I'm feeling at the time, whether it be wildness, joy or sadness. I simply follow what draws me in and let the work form from there.
Each piece is made with care but remains open to interpretation. I hope it offers you something grounded and reflective, a subtle shift in how your space feels, an invitation to notice.
This creative practice fits into my everyday life and I occasionally share reflections about that in my journal... thoughts on home, daily rhythms and how we live with the things around us.
Warmly,
Anthea Merrin
