Lynnie Zulu Breaks Out Of East London
By Alexis Swerdloff
London-based, Scotland-born artist Lynnie Zulu recently caught our eye with her psychedelic, tribal-inspired illustrations of pointy-chinned, mythical-seeming characters. The 23-year-old, who graduated from Kingston University, has branched out from paper, adorning plates and T-shirts with her signature designs and collaborating with buzzy designers Fanny & Jessy on their last collection. We caught up with Zulu (not her real last name) to talk inspirations, East London and target shooting.
How did you initially get into illustration? Was there ever any question that this is what you would be doing with your life?
I've always been a very obsessive drawer. I have very clear memories of being a kid and being tucked into bed and my mum urging me to read my books. Once she left I'd get out my pens and paper and I'd draw undisturbed for hours. Maybe this is why I'm such a night owl when it comes to my work. I've always dreamed of making a living through my drawing, so I guess it was a natural choice.
Who and what are you currently inspired by?
African culture is an important source of inspiration in my work. I enjoy watching how my illustrations evolve -- as they shift from different tribes and cultures. I've lately become very inspired by the native murals of African hair styles on painted on mud-huts, scattered with motifs of scissors and combs. Grace Jones' style inspires me no end.
How did you go from illustrating on paper, to illustrating on clothing?
It was pretty much this time last year when I first experimented by juxtaposing my illustrations on apparel. I started off illustrating with fabric pens onto T-shirts and pants. I really enjoyed the sketchy roughness of these -- they turned out to be quite popular. So I then decided to produce two different illustrations screen-printed onto T-shirts.
What are some of the challenges of working with a material that is wearable as opposed to a material that is not?
Designing prints for T-shirts is pretty simple. But while working on the prints for Fanny & Jessy's SS12 collection, I was faced with a few new challenges, one of which was trying to work out how to turn such organic and unsymmetrical illustrations into a tessellated print.
Tell me more about the Fanny & Jessy's collection. What was the process of that collaboration?
I met up with Fanny & Jessy after their first day of researching for their new collection. They sourced some fantastic material of Eskimo and Native American dressed. They browsed my sketchbooks and there appeared to be some interesting correlations between our work -- my native androgynous characters and also the color palette which linked well with their styles.
The project naturally evolved, the characters became more embellished with beards, symbols and motifs and soon became a wonderful organic jumble of king's faces. I then tessellated the illustrations for print. Two different prints were produced for the collection, which I'm happy to say will feature in British Vogue's march issue! Exciting times!
And tell me about your new T-shirt collection.
I'm now working on my second collection of Zulu Tees! Alas, I can't give a preview, as the illustrations are still in the pipeline! But expect them to be even more wild and colorful as the previous collection.
What inspires you about living and being an artist in London?
I live in East London, which I've found to be a very inspiring place. With its big creative community, full of young talented hungry creatives -- it's fast and infectious, which I think pushes the competitiveness in me. It's a great artistic environment to live in.
What's your go-to London hang-spot (restaurant, bar, store, etc), and why?
I love my pubs so it would have to be The Owl and Pussycat and The Royal Oak. Food wise, the Sunday market on Brick Lane has heaps of world food to hoof on! Perfect hangover cure!
Do you have any hidden talents?
Target shooting! My dad's a bit of a hunter-gatherer. I'm pathetic at clay pigeon shooting though -- never again!
What are you looking forward to this winter?
The journey back to my homeland of chilly Scotland! Roaming frosty forests and burning frankincense on the fire... wonderful.
How did you initially get into illustration? Was there ever any question that this is what you would be doing with your life?
I've always been a very obsessive drawer. I have very clear memories of being a kid and being tucked into bed and my mum urging me to read my books. Once she left I'd get out my pens and paper and I'd draw undisturbed for hours. Maybe this is why I'm such a night owl when it comes to my work. I've always dreamed of making a living through my drawing, so I guess it was a natural choice.
Who and what are you currently inspired by?
African culture is an important source of inspiration in my work. I enjoy watching how my illustrations evolve -- as they shift from different tribes and cultures. I've lately become very inspired by the native murals of African hair styles on painted on mud-huts, scattered with motifs of scissors and combs. Grace Jones' style inspires me no end.
How did you go from illustrating on paper, to illustrating on clothing?
It was pretty much this time last year when I first experimented by juxtaposing my illustrations on apparel. I started off illustrating with fabric pens onto T-shirts and pants. I really enjoyed the sketchy roughness of these -- they turned out to be quite popular. So I then decided to produce two different illustrations screen-printed onto T-shirts.
What are some of the challenges of working with a material that is wearable as opposed to a material that is not?
Designing prints for T-shirts is pretty simple. But while working on the prints for Fanny & Jessy's SS12 collection, I was faced with a few new challenges, one of which was trying to work out how to turn such organic and unsymmetrical illustrations into a tessellated print.
Tell me more about the Fanny & Jessy's collection. What was the process of that collaboration?
I met up with Fanny & Jessy after their first day of researching for their new collection. They sourced some fantastic material of Eskimo and Native American dressed. They browsed my sketchbooks and there appeared to be some interesting correlations between our work -- my native androgynous characters and also the color palette which linked well with their styles.
The project naturally evolved, the characters became more embellished with beards, symbols and motifs and soon became a wonderful organic jumble of king's faces. I then tessellated the illustrations for print. Two different prints were produced for the collection, which I'm happy to say will feature in British Vogue's march issue! Exciting times!
And tell me about your new T-shirt collection.
I'm now working on my second collection of Zulu Tees! Alas, I can't give a preview, as the illustrations are still in the pipeline! But expect them to be even more wild and colorful as the previous collection.
What inspires you about living and being an artist in London?
I live in East London, which I've found to be a very inspiring place. With its big creative community, full of young talented hungry creatives -- it's fast and infectious, which I think pushes the competitiveness in me. It's a great artistic environment to live in.
What's your go-to London hang-spot (restaurant, bar, store, etc), and why?
I love my pubs so it would have to be The Owl and Pussycat and The Royal Oak. Food wise, the Sunday market on Brick Lane has heaps of world food to hoof on! Perfect hangover cure!
Do you have any hidden talents?
Target shooting! My dad's a bit of a hunter-gatherer. I'm pathetic at clay pigeon shooting though -- never again!
What are you looking forward to this winter?
The journey back to my homeland of chilly Scotland! Roaming frosty forests and burning frankincense on the fire... wonderful.
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