Zena Bresnan

Having studied Fine Art: Painting at the University of Brighton, I am a queer and non-binary artist now based in the same city. During my study I explored the themes of childhood and extensively looked at imagery significant to my personal experiences. Instagram: @zenanotapainter

Once graduated, I continued to make work but found it sporadic and difficult to make my drawings and paintings complement and work together; I then came to the conclusion that maybe painting wasn’t for me and as a result began experimenting with different mediums. Now with the tufts that I make, I find that I can better explore whimsical and playful imagery reminiscent of childhood and that the texture of the rugs themselves adds to the overall effect.

What would you like people to take away from your work?

Overall, I hope that people take away a feeling of lightheartedness from my work. Sure, there’s some symbolic meanings to the designs I do but for the most part that’s on a personal level and wouldn’t necessarily expect people to connect with imagery that’s tailored to my experiences. I’d like people to just have fun with the imagery I use and if they do get anything more that’s a bonus!

Where would you like your work to take you?

I’d like my work to take me to place emotionally where I am more in touch with my childhood. Not being able to remember most of it is something I’ve struggled with massively and the feeling that I never really got to enjoy just being a kid and like I missed out on the inherent carefree nature that comes with being a child. Already I can feel some kind of healing happening with this work wherein I am able to experience and enjoy things I never got to and it’s a really good feeling.

How did you get into making carpets?

I got into making my tufts/carpets purely out of wanting to explore new mediums. I’d been thinking about it for a while and knew I wanted to incorporate an element of texture that would work with how I wanted it to. I’d already learnt how to crochet with my housemate in the first lockdown and therefore had lots of yarn to hand so I bought a punch needle and had a little go at it and just fell in love really!

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

If I’m being honest the only thing I can really think of is the Mario '64 soundtrack. Probably Bob-Omb Battlefield in particular but any Mario song would work.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I heavily draw inspiration from cartoons, mostly old ones from the 70s as that’s what I watched mostly growing up for some reason, they’re so surreal and I love it. I also really enjoy looking through picture books and even tattoo flash sheets as I feel the latter can be really influenced by the same things I enjoy exploring. Oh, and with picture books I really like the Letterland Storybooks as I remember having and loving them growing up.

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

I definitely look to my friend Oli Hopkins (@mouthulcers) for inspiration as she’s always making such amazing art! And I also really love the work of Selynn (@itsselynn) and Marie-Yaé (@marie.yae) on Instagram off of the top of my head!