Q&A with artist and educator Lily Ash Sakula
We spoke to Lily Ash Sakula, our artist educator at Charleston in Lewes, about their practice, new role at Charleston and the importance of artist led-learning activities. In 2023, Charleston began delivering a project with secondary schools led by Lily, who will soon lead a free animation CPD session to support thinking and making in the classroom.
Q: Tell us about yourself…
A: I’m a multi-disciplinary artist working in animation, illustration and sensory experimentation.
Q: What does your work involve?
A: I make collaborative films that link different generations and communities. I want my work to bring people together and encourage feelings of hope. Particularly at a time when things feel quite desperate for many.
Q: Can you describe your practice and how you got to where you are today?
A: My practice is collaborative and experimental, led by many things, including the collective brilliance of the communities I work with. I have been working as an artist for the last ten years in various different mediums, starting with comics and zines and moving into animation.
Much of my work is about creating connections and capturing small moments of beauty, joy and freedom.
Q: What makes Charleston a unique space for learning?
A: It’s a really interesting opportunity to work in an intentionally queer space, that isn’t afraid to be open about it. Plus, the wild artistic anarchy of the house brings an exciting ambiance to the space as a place to create.
Q: Can you describe the project you are working on with local schools?
A: We are working on a series of animations inspired by the Dorothy Hepworth and Patricia Preece exhibition. This was a recent exhibition that explored the extraordinary story of Dorothy Hepworth and Patricia Preece – a duo whose secret artistic collaboration and lifelong romantic partnership remained hidden for decades. It has been really interesting to talk about queer history with teenagers and see where that takes them creatively.
Q: What do you think are the benefits of artist-led learning activities?
A: Artists know that everyone can make art, they just need to find the right medium.
We’re excited to continue developing our new free learning programme connecting schools and colleges with exhibitions through artist-led workshops and the support of educators like Lily.