Naive, figurative artist based in London

Mathushaa Sagthidas is a London based freelance photographer, stylist, set designer and art director (studied at Camberwell College of Arts, UAL) with interest in fine art and contemporary fashion. Mathushaa’s work often examines her identity - Tamil Eelam ethnicity and British nationality, which is reflected through traditions, history and fashion photography.  ​ Identity, authenticity and representation are important to her because of her parents’ upbringing and experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war, which took place from 1983 until now. The history of the war, their own personal suffering and experience led Mathushaa to learn and embrace her ethnic culture, traditions and heritage more and more. ​   Her photography work spans a range of brands including Amazon, Wolf & Badger, Fashion United, Deezer and Bloomsbury; publications such as Creative Lives, Glass Magazine, The Photographer's Gallery, gal-dem, Hypebae​, Fashion Minority Report, THIIIRD Magazine, Campaign Live, Dishoom, It's Nice That, The British Library and Graduate Fashion Week and exhibitions such as Tate Britain, PhotoFusion, BBH London, Lake Gallery, Camberwell Space Gallery, Rankin x Maryland Studio, including billboards across the UK and a solo show with Bow Arts.

I'm from Cornwall. Anyone who knows me knows that I rant on about Cornwall. The longer I stay away from Cornwall (in London) the more I seem to rant about it. But I still like to go back as often as possible to do crazy stuff like cast metal furniture on the beach or carve chairs out of Cornish granite in the various quarries dotted around the countryside. Otherwise you will find me in my studio in deepest darkest Tottenham whittling a lump of material into a spoon or chair.

An upcoming trip to Lisbon has made me curious about what recommendations there may be from someone who shares the same interests as me.

Johanne Lian Olsen is a Graphic Designer working within type design, editorial design and illustration. She is flexing between working at projects in the UK and Norway.