London Grilling: Liah Edwardes, Artist
This week, we dove into the world of artistic creation with the incredible Liah Edwardes. Current Artist in Residence at Earls Court, Liah moves between mediums and techniques like free motion sewing, monotype print, pencil drawings and fast continuous lines.
Want to learn more? You can visit her website here.
Welcome Liah! Tell us, how did you get started in art and design?
My journey into art and design wasn’t exactly the typical route. I did a foundation course, but when university fees jumped to £9,000 a year, I decided not to take my place on a fine art degree—it felt like such a huge decision, especially since I’d have needed to work constantly just to afford it. So, I took some time out, got a hospitality job, and rented a tiny studio in Sheffield. That’s where I really found my feet as an artist. I experimented, worked from old life drawings, and slowly figured out what excited me most—turns out it’s continuous line drawing, people, and form. I’ve always been fascinated by people—their faces and bodies feel like landscapes where I can follow lines and explore.
What is your creative process like?
Drawing from life, sketching and mark making is always the starting point for my work. I’m all about capturing people in the moment—it’s super immediate and intuitive. I give myself maybe five minutes max to get the likeness of someone. I love playing with line and experimenting with materials like machine free-motion stitching, monoprinting, and, of course, drawing.
What are you working on during your residency at Earl’s Court?
I’m focusing on highlighting people in the community who are making a real difference—those who give their time to help others. At the same time, I’m exploring the energy of the city—the busyness, those fleeting moments of connection you have with strangers, and the way life seems to rush by. It’s all about celebrating people and the lives we’re living, even in the smallest moments. My exhibition 'Thanks for your time' will be opening on the 17th of January!
What’s a project you’ve worked on that really stuck with you?
Last summer, I worked on a collaborative Covid memorial project in Sheffield, and it was such a powerful experience. We looked through hundreds of stories from people from all walks of life and turned their narratives into ribbons, which were then hung on a sculpture. It really opened my eyes to how differently everyone experienced that time—no two stories were the same.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Drawing is my go-to when I need inspiration. I’m a regular at life drawing classes, and have been running them for over 6 years—it’s such a great way to stay connected to the craft. I love reading about other artists and diving into collaborative projects. For me, working with people and creating something with a purpose is when I like my artwork the most. It’s all about connection and collaboration—it keeps me inspired and motivated
What advice would you give to someone starting out in art?
Be cheeky and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Mistakes are part of the process, so don’t stress about them ( I wish I remembered this myself aha ). I’ve built my practice without taking the traditional education route—it’s been tough at times, but if you really love what you do, things will happen. My big tip: don’t let social media influence you too much. It can be overwhelming and make you question yourself, so focus on what you love and what feels right for you. Oh, and don’t be shy—if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
How’s your London residency going?
Honestly, it’s been amazing. Coming down from the north has been such a big shift, and I’ve met so many wonderful people that have inspired my work. The energy of the city has really influenced me, exhibitions and just constant flow of new artwork and creatives. I’m already feeling sad that it’s nearly over— I'm excited to showcase the artwork made during my free workshops on the 17th of December at the community hub and expose all the great artists I've met during my time here.
Have you seen any exhibitions that inspired you recently?
Yes! I went to see the Hew Locke exhibition at the British Museum last week, and it absolutely blew me away. His work is just incredible—I left feeling so inspired. If you haven’t seen it yet, I can’t recommend it enough!
Where can people check out your work?
You can find me on Instagram @liah.edwardes, or head over to my website at www.liahedwardes.com.