About
Tessa Layzelle makes practical paintings.
Paintings as objects,
paintings that disappear.
Humdrum daily household objects that surprise and appear
with a fold
and shuffle.
Interested in the interplay between decoration and functionality, Tessa’s work is simultaneously composed like a painting and designed to be robust and comforting when folded, wrapped and thrown. Her multi-functional pieces are made to be used and lived with, for the walls or furniture, changing purpose with the whim of the holder.
Since beginning her practice in 2012, after completing a degree in fine art, Tessa has always sourced fabric sustainably for her pieces. Deadstock, end of roll, remnant, vintage and repurposed fabrics are all chosen for their quality (longevity), colour (decoration) and natural fibre content (functionality).
In the warmer months of the year, she colours and paints her fabrics in small batches, creating an ever transient palette to work with. Nothing is wasted, even the smallest remnants are transformed into tableware. Tessa uses her design skills intrepidly, her self-taught traditional quilting skills sensitively and so each piece begins… constructed, stitch by stitch, by hand.
Works are available in occasional collections online and from select stockists across the world. Tessa works directly with clients and with interior designers making pieces to order, bespoke to a space. She has recently completed work for interior projects by Studio Peake, House of Grey, Beata Heuman, Alma + Midori with The Modern House (read more) and Rebecca Sicardi.
Tessa made a large quilt for the window scheme Summer Awakening at Selfridges, Oxford Street, August-October 2021 and showed four new quilts in a group show Sensational Beings Collection 02 for FELT in May 2022 and again in 2023.
Her works have been featured in recent issues of House & Garden magazine, World of Interiors, Elle Decoration UK and Architectural Digest India as well as online interiors and design journals.
Tessa works from her home studio in Yorkshire, UK
