Title: Retail Coordinator UK
Years at MOTHER: 6 years
Artistic medium: Mixed media / painting, drawing, sculpture, garments
You knew you were an artist when: I think I knew I was an artist from a very young age. Written or spoken words never felt like my strongest way of expressing myself. Over the years, I naturally gravitated toward different creative mediums to express my inner voice. It probably started as early as five years old, when I was drawing on walls with anything I could find. Later, around the age of thirteen, that creativity evolved into making outfits for myself. Then, in my twenties, I returned to painting, which became my main form of expression.
What you’re currently working on: Searching for new mediums to express myself.
The piece you’re most proud of: The piece I’m most proud of is the first artwork I shared — a three-headed sketch I created one morning before work in 2013. It came from a moment when I couldn’t put my emotions into words and was getting overwhelmed, but then I started to draw. I didn't know what or why, but I needed to get it out. Once it was done, I felt a huge relief. I’ve never actually told the story behind that drawing out loud. It’s far from the most expensive or valuable or even artistically correct piece of art I have made, but it shares a moment of realization about the power and importance of creating.
The song on repeat in the studio: An‘80s/'90s playlist on shuffle or, if I had to choose one, “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol.
How you get creative at MOTHER: For me, creativity is closely linked to problem-solving, and it’s one of the aspects of my work that I enjoy the most. While many people see problem-solving as a purely analytical task, I view it as a creative process. It involves both working with something physical, such as painting, and using your mind to analyze, imagine, and explore different approaches in order to find the best solution for each situation. That balance between practical work and creative thinking is what I find most rewarding in my role.
Three artists that inspire you: Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Marina Abramovič
Where we can find + support your art: @linasoart