Based in Manchester, Anya Paintsil is a Welsh and Ghanaian artist working primarily with textiles. From rug hooking to embroidery, her assemblages evoke tactile tapestry on the one hand, and constitute semi-sculptural interventions on the other. Frequently using weaves, braids and other hair pieces (as well as her own hair), Paintsil laces debates around race and gender into the very fabric of her work. Playful and profound, flippant and forceful, her practice engages the language of fibres — of all kinds — with interrogations of materiality and political personhood.
Anya’s practice focuses on mediums that have been historically devalued due to their associations with marginalised groups. Drawing from personal narratives, Anya’s work frequently focuses on the significance of race and POC identity outside of urban areas, feminism, memory, storytelling and fantasy.
Anya’s work is being acquired by major several public galleries in England and Wales and leading collectors in South Africa and the USA.
Exhibitions include Open Studio at Manchester School Of Art, (2020); Art on the Sly, Talbot Road, Manchester, (2019); Christmas Special, The Grosvenor Gallery, Manchester, (2019); Useful Culture, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, (2019); We Are Future, 20-38 High Street, Manchester, (2018); Girls World, Tanzaro Creative, Manchester, (2018); Sign of the times, Texture, Manchester, (2017); End of Year Exhibition, Kelvin College, Glasgow, (2016).
