Lampshade Rebellion - Emily Johnson

With a background in fashion design and wedding couture, Emily Johnson has turned her creative hand to glamorous lampshades. With the belief that 'more is more', her flamboyant creations bring an exotic focal point to any room. Under the banner Lampshade Rebellion, she brings her experience as a dressmaker and pattern cutter to make each piece a unique work of art. Lampshades are fashioned from old frames and can be made to order.

website   lampshaderebellion.co.uk

How long have you been a resident at VWS? Over 3 years.

When did you decide that you wanted to be an artist or maker?

I always enjoyed drawing and loved fabrics from a young age. I found my feet during my GCSE in textiles even though I didn’t get on with my teacher. In a way, that spurred me on to do my Art Foundation year at North Oxfordshire School of Art & Design (Banbury). Following my degree in Fashion Design at Nottingham Trent, I spent six months travelling round India. I really enjoyed my travels and was struck by the difference in the colours between the North and South, being especially drawn and inspired by the vibrant reds & golds of Northern India.

I went on to work for a bespoke couturier in Henley-on-Thames, who specialised in wedding dresses. Although it was a good opportunity, I didn’t particularly enjoy the environment and moved on to other jobs unrelated to my studies. I always dreamt of having my own studio and eventually decided to become a driving instructor with the deliberate intention of freeing up some time to pursue my creative interests.

What’s your work routine if you have one? What does a day in the life of Studio 4 look like?

I only have Fridays in the studio and naturally spend some time catching up with Lizzie and discussing ideas. If I am in the middle of a project, I get stuck into my work quite quickly, but I don’t really have a typical day.

Briefly describe your creative process.

My unique and quirky lampshades have become one of my most popular items, but I also make bunting, shoes and work on other projects. My lampshades are made using upcycled lampshade frames. The process usually begins with me playing around with materials and making a mood board on Pinterest. I partly take inspiration from the fabric or trim and build the design around them, embellishing the lampshades with fringes, glass beads and gimp braid. More recently, I’ve experimented with linings, creating different effects when lit up.

What is your favourite material or tool to work and why?

Gimp braid – it’s all about the trim on the lampshades and gimp braid is the perfect embellishment, but I especially love it because the name always makes me chuckle!

What’s your inspiration/ main theme currently? 

I’m currently finishing a yellow bug lampshade named Jake (all my designs have a name!). My next piece is inspired by a trip to New York, more specifically the city’s distinctive Art Deco architecture, including the Chrysler Building.

What’s your favourite painting/piece of your own and why? 

I think that would have to be Clive, my Koi Carp lampshade with its bead trim (see image attached). The two aspects came together coincidentally but I’m pleased with just how well they complement each other.

What do you find beneficial of being part of a community of artists?

Being surrounded with like-minded people, making new friends and the sense of community. When I originally came to Victoria Works Studios, a friend of mine had just moved into Studio 1. As soon as I saw the set-up, I instantly knew that I wanted a studio myself.

I’ve only been sharing the studio with Lizzie since 2019 and that’s been great as we’ve shared lots of ideas.

How has the pandemic changed your artwork and working processes?

Initially, I threw myself into making loads of scrubs for the NHS and then moved onto facemasks – so this gave me a real sense of purpose during the March 2020 lockdown.  After that, the main difference was that I had so much more time to create. I have now gone back to juggling being a maker alongside my job as a driving instructor. In a way, I’m slightly nostalgic for the days of the first lockdown.

What is the most useful advice you have ever been given?

Lizzie has given me a lot of useful advice during the time we’ve shared a studio. I think the best advice I have ever been given, or would give to someone else, is to not be afraid to experiment and not to expect perfect results. We all learn from our mistakes.

I do get imposter syndrome and haven’t always settled into my work, but I do feel I have found my niche with the lampshades and have become more comfortable with experimenting.

And finally, if you had to spend the day in different room or studio at VWS, which one would it be and why?

Studio 14 - Lucia Leyfield’s studio as I would love to learn to write as beautifully as she does! I wouldn’t mind spending time in Katerina Gibb’s studio either to watch her in action. I think I could learn a lot from her fantastic sewing skills when she does her upholstery!