Lizzi Mann
Lizzi Mann is a multidisciplinary artist based in Bristol, England. Their work explores connection, transformation and balance.
Heavily inspired by a deep rooted attachment to nature they fuse natural materials and traditional craftsmanship with modern design and focus on the ritual of making. With a practice spanning textiles, printmaking and painting, they create intuitive works exploring how forms and materials transform.
Alongside creating large textile artworks, they create limited collections of handwoven accessories and homewares, all crafted by hand from their studio in Bristol. They see these works as an extension of their art practice, creating artefacts that explore the functionality of the craft.
Find our curated collection of Lizzi Mann's beautiful handwoven sling bags here.
Where are you based?
Bristol.
Do you have a morning routine / daily ritual before arriving to your studio?
I always try to get outside as soon as possible when I wake up, whether that’s breakfast in the garden or watering the plants. I’ll have a little stretch, eat some peanut butter on toast and hop on my bike to the studio.
What does a typical day at your studio look like?
I’m in a shared studio space in the centre of Bristol so my day normally begins with a coffee and a catch up. I’ll tidy my desk and start by writing a list or drawing ideas to settle into the space. I often have a couple of projects on the go at a time so will alternate between weaving on the loom, hand finishing pieces or testing new ideas. Some days it can take me a whole day to just set up the loom before I even start weaving!
How would you describe your company ethos?
Natural materials, functional and hand made. I want to create artefacts that are not only durable but also invite the consumer to understand the handcrafted process and be more conscious of what they choose to adorn their outfits with.
How long does each piece take to make?
It varies depending on the size of the piece, but between 3 -5 hours of weaving and an hour of constructing. I don’t use any electricity to make my hand-woven bags, so each part of the process is slow and steady.
Did you study design anywhere or are you self taught / naturally fall into this work?
I studied Illustration and Animation at Kingston, but when I left, I knew I didn’t want to draw again for a long time! I had been doing a lot of printmaking whilst studying and really missed the hands-on process, so I joined an introduction to weaving course at an adult learning centre to fill that void. I borrowed a loom from my teacher and then continued to teach myself from there. I now own two looms and continue to learn new things every day when I’m weaving. I’ve realised that I’ve always had a need to understand how things work or how they are constructed and would often take things a part to put them back together. I guess in that sense it was also natural that I would end up working with these materials and processes.
Where did the inspiration for your pieces on the C et C website come from?
I had been experimenting with folding and joining woven off-cuts from previous projects and wanted to explore how I could create a functional object, using the same processes and no electricity. I had also been researching basket making and traditional world textile techniques at the time. I wanted to keep the tassels of the fabric visible so that the viewer can get an understanding of how woven fabrics are constructed and that is how the bags were born!
How do you overcome creative lulls?
Be kind to myself! I used to feel guilty for not making or producing all the time but now remind myself that artists need time to rest and research. It’s important for me to do something away from my studio desk to clear my head, get out into nature or go for a bike ride and find inspiration when I’m not actively looking for it.
What is your favourite material to work with and why?
I love working with linen yarns, they are very delicate but have a rigidity and structure when woven together which I really like. I’m doing a workshop soon to learn how to process my own linen from flax, it excites me to be using one of the oldest crops grown in this country to be making new work.
What are you reading at the moment?
Funny Weather by Olivia Lang and Crying in H Mart by Michella Zauner.
What dream would you still like to fulfil?
I’m currently working on a collection of large-scale weavings and sculptural works and would love to do a solo show with these!
Do you have any tips you'd like to share with other artists?
Stay playful and curious and don’t make work based on what you ‘think’ other people will like.
Find our curated collection of Lizzi Mann's beautiful handwoven sling bags here.
