Shelby x Lucy Turner

Lucy Turner is a Bristol based artist, digital illustrator, writer and activist. She began using art to heal trauma and as a way to communicate. Her biggest inspirations are Black bodies in particular Black women as they are constantly holding together a society that was not built for them.

Q1. We’re so happy to have you contribute to February’s edition of the zine. What were your initial thoughts around the theme of radical self-love?

I’m excited to be a part of something so meaningful and important! Self love is something I’ve been trying to explore over the last few years and when you throw “radical” into the mix it takes on a whole new meaning. Chidera Eggerue said “ Black women, make sure YOU put your feet up. Your rest is radical in a world you’ve built for free. You have been sacrificing yourself and repeating yourself since you got here”. For me as a Black woman, taking care of myself, physically and mentally is radical self care, in a society where we are so neglected, what is more radical than that?


Q2. What have been some of the biggest experiences in your life to date that have influenced your creativity?

Creativity has always been an integral part of my life. But really for me it was when I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Whilst having treatment I was introduced to art therapy. This was my first introduction into using art to help heal trauma. Through art I was able to communicate when words would fail me. I’d paint before and after radiation, where I found the energy. Where words failed me, creativity saved me.


Q3. What role has the arts played in relation to taking care of yourself?

The arts have saved me more times than I can count. From using it as a tool to heal to helping me pay bills, it’s everything to me. Even during lockdown when it felt like the world had come to a stop, I found one thing that remained alive, this was art and community. I suffer from depression and anxiety and often things can seem bleak but creating something from nothing has such a healing power. Art can add so much beauty to the world if we just let it.


Q4. Your illustrations are full of colour, joy, pattern and beauty. Could you explain a little about your process and what you hope to achieve through your work?

I think what I’m hoping to achieve changes all the time. When I first began digital illustration I was inspired by bright, bold colours as I found the world becoming increasingly grey and I wanted to add some joy.

Over the last year it’s begun to change. I still use bright bold colours but my main focus and inspirations have become Black bodies. I was severely lacking Black female faces and bodies from my life. From the society, social media and even my area I was feeling extremely underrepresented, unfortunately not a new problem, but how was I going to change this? I began to draw and release into the world all the beauty Black bodies have to offer. I saw I wasn’t being represented so decided through my work to represent myself. There is nothing more beautiful and inspiring to me than a Black body. I hope to challenge society's idea of “beauty” and what women should look like (white, thin, blonde). I want to create a world where little Black girls can see themselves and their beauty everywhere.

Q5. From your work to date, what’s your favorite piece and why?

My favourite piece to date is a digital illustration entitled “Lady Leaf”. The piece is based on work by the incredible Ingrid Silva and Paola Mathe. It speaks to me especially so because the vulnerability of the woman is so clear and hauntingly beautiful. The presence of a Black ballerina is a poignant figure in the theme of representation. 

It’s hard to choose just one piece as so much of myself goes into each piece!

Q6. If you could collaborate with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be?

Such a difficult question! Over the past few years I’ve met and worked with some incredible female artists from Bristol. As I say, the people who inspire me the most are Black women. Jazz Thompson, Parys Gardener, Abbi Bayliss and Stacey Olika are women who through themselves and their work push me to grow as an artist, encourage and energise me and I’m in awe of each and every one of them. There are so many talented women in Bristol who motivate my work and who I’d love to collaborate with. 

Q7. Where can people find/buy/commission more of your work?

You can find my work on Etsy and Instagram

Email: lucyjacquelineturner@hotmail.co.uk

I’m always open for commissions and looking for collaborations! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!