In conversation with Lily Lewis
“I hope people enjoy the work immediately but then gradually see more and deeper into the pieces.”
- Lily Lewis

Lily Lewis. Photo by Justin Goff.
Lily Lewis is an autodidact and multidisciplinary artist working in the realms of the narrative, be that in the form of a painting, a poem, large scale sculptures, tapestry, or performance. Drawing her inspiration and sources of study largely from the human condition, the individual’s experience and interaction in the world. She has had exhibitions of her works and is invited to perform and recite her poetry globally. Entirely self taught, playfulness and stimulations to reconnect to the purity of childhood are tools Lily often utilises to open the gateway to her creations. She lives in london with her dog Betty.
How did your journey into art begin? Did you grow up in a creative environment?
I found it hard when I was younger to express myself. I still do, doesn’t everyone? so I use writing and painting. What I can’t write I paint, and what I can’t say in paint I write.
At what point did you realise you wanted to pursue a career in the art world?
I knew from a very young age I wanted to make things, to use my hands, but I didn’t really see it as an option. Very little was expected of me growing up, but then when I started working in the world, in an office and hated it with every cell of my being I knew there was no other option for me than to paint my way out.
You are one of twelve artists who created giant artist eggs for the Little Egg Hunt currently on display throughout Chelsea to raise awareness for wildlife conservation charity, The Elephant Family. How did you get involved in this project?
I actually painted one of the very first elephants, the first time Elephant Family organised such an incredible undertaking. I have, to date, painted one elephant and two eggs. I love the charity and would do a million.
What kind of experience do you envision for visitors engaging with your art?
I work with subverting expectation a lot and hide, ironically, Easter eggs and dual meaning in all my pieces. I hope people enjoy the work immediately but then gradually see more and deeper into the pieces. It’s fun to be rewarded for being observant.
Throughout your artistic journey, what has been the most rewarding moment for you?
Making work that people connect with is the most rewarding thing, and to look at a work and feel that it conveys the meaning and emotion that I felt painting it.
What has been the most significant lesson you've learned about yourself, your abilities, or life in general, during your career?
That the biggest block is always going to be fear, and small fear is the sneakiest blocker to creativity. The trick is to turn up everyday, make something everyday, even if you don’t want to, you don’t feel like it, you’re not inspired. The longer you leave it the scarier it gets. That and ‘this is supposed to be fun!’

Photo by Justin Goff.
Are there any noteworthy upcoming projects you can discuss at this time?
Yes! I’m going to Venice for the biennale next week then I get back and im working on 2 exhibitions and writing a book.
The [Quick] #FLODown:
Best life advice?
Don’t take anything too seriously, none of this is that big a deal.
Last song you listened to?
Good Morning by Kanye
Last book you read?
Spell of the Sensuous by David Abrams
Can't live without…?
Sleep
What should the art world be more of and less of?
More kindness, always. Less prevention, always.
Little Egg Hunt is free to view throughout Chelsea until 14 April 2024.
Instagram: @tigerlilylewis.
To discover more about the Elephant Family visit: elephant-family.org
Instagram: @elephantfamily.
Claro is located at the southern end of Regent Street serving a menu best described as Eastern Mediterranean with Middle Eastern Influences. This month Claro’s autumn menu has launched using ingredients sourced from county Berkshire giving diners a special farm to table experience…
From roaring dinosaurs to lively discos and creative workshops, London is bursting with family fun this October half-term. Whether you’re exploring Regent’s Park’s open-air art, dancing at Sadler’s Wells, or watching classic films at the Barbican, there’s something to entertain every age and interest across the city…
In a city where a night at the theatre is both a tradition and a spectacle, where you sit matters more than you think. London’s West End theatres are filled with architectural quirks, steep balconies, grand boxes, and seating names that shift from venue to venue. If you've ever booked a ticket and wondered, "Is this actually a good seat?"…
A new mural by emerging artist Oliwia Bober, commissioned by The Langham Estate, will be unveiled on the 23rd of October in central London’s thriving Fitzrovia Quarter. Bober was the winner of an open competition earlier this year which challenged an artist to capture the vibrancy of the area’s past and present. The new mural, titled Threads in Common…
Cicoria by Angela Hartnett is located in none other than London’s iconic Royal Opera House. Hartnett’s reputation precedes her…
Frieze London 2025 returns to Regent’s Park with a dynamic mix of emerging and established galleries, reaffirming the city’s creative pulse. Highlights include Esther Schipper’s dreamlike works by Sarah Buckner, Gagosian’s vibrant installation by Lauren Halsey, and Pace’s meditative paintings by William Monk. From Do Ho Suh’s ethereal fabric architectures at Lehmann Maupin…
Londoners are spending more and more of their downtime online, whether it’s unwinding after a hectic day or simply filling a spare hour. From streaming the latest shows to scrolling through social media feeds, there’s no shortage of ways to relax online…
Paris launches into its own spectacular celebration of art each October, transforming the city into a hub for collectors, curators, and cultural enthusiasts. From the grandeur of Art Basel Paris at the newly renovated Grand Palais to the focused energy of Paris Internationale, OFFSCREEN, AKAA and Menart, each fair contributes something unique to the city’s vibrant art scene.
Acclaimed Scottish artist Anya Gallaccio has been announced as the winner of the Robson Orr TenTen Award 2025 by the Government Art Collection…
Here’s a roundup of when and where you can experience the best of London’s Christmas light switch-on events for 2024.
London is home to more than just an incredible arts district and world-class gourmet experiences. The city also hosts a vibrant gaming scene for players of all ages, types and persuasions. From retro arcade experiences to futuristic VR events…
The fifth season of The Gallery, It’s Not Easy Being Green, opens across the UK on 7 October 2025 and in Brazil on 14 October, ahead of COP30 in Belém. Sixteen international artists, including Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Hannah Starkey, and Uýra Sodoma, bring the climate crisis directly into public view. Instead of traditional galleries, their artworks appear on thousands of billboards…
The Internet has changed many aspects of our lives, from entertainment to work and from shopping to media consumption. Where it was once necessary for groups of people to physically get together to connect, that’s no longer the case…
Discover 20+ restaurants to dine at in London during Frieze London and Frieze Masters, from Mediterranean and Japanese to Italian, Middle Eastern, and modern British cuisine…
Discover how digital art spaces analyse, filter, and arrange your feed. Learn how algorithms and curation shape what art you see online…
Discover how artists in London and beyond can balance creative work with personal care. Learn practical steps for health, rest, and artistic growth.
The 19th Venice Architecture Biennale showcases standout national pavilions from across the globe. Highlights include Spain’s focus on territorial equilibrium, the United States’ “porch” project exploring generosity in architecture, and Morocco’s Materiae Palimpseste. Discover the pavilions you won’t want to miss…
We spoke to visionary director Łukasz Twarkowski ahead of the UK premiere of ROHTKO, a groundbreaking production that takes inspiration from the infamous Rothko forgery scandal to ask urgent questions about originality, truth and value in art today. Combining theatre, cinema, sound and digital technology, the work challenges…
Family separation can be one of the most overwhelming experiences to navigate, especially when children, property, and finances are involved. For many people, the process brings uncertainty about the future, both emotionally and practically. Without clear guidance, it can feel like there are few places to turn for reassurance or answers…
British Ceramics Biennial is back and better than ever. Running until 19 October 2025, the dynamic programme of free exhibitions, screenings, talks and events is proving a hit with both locals and critics…and just an hour and a half’s train away from London, it’s well worth a day trip…
Iranian-born British curator and producer Tima Jam is the Founder of Art Voyage, a new migrant-led cultural platform committed to building a dynamic, equitable, and globally connected arts ecosystem through novel initiatives comprising exhibitions, public art, summits, residences, and community engagement to create a lasting cultural and social impact…
