Zipporah (Zippy) Reynolds is a 28-year-old Freelance Artist from Banbridge, specialising in street art/illustration. For the past 9 years, she has been working as a Textile Artist for film and TV after studying Fashion Design at the University of Creative Arts.
For CNB21 Presents The Ogham Grove, Zipporah has laser-etched Ogham symbols on wooden plaques that will be placed around the Cathedral Quarter, allowing the public to form their own trail of discovery.
How did you get started in the industry?
I have always loved being creative. From making, designing, painting, printing and constructing – I have a constantly curious brain. After school, I got accepted at University for the Creative Arts in England to study Fashion Design. I got accepted to the course and it’s shaped my career path as an Artist now 10 years later. A month before starting the course, I went on a tour of the Titanic Studios during season two of Game of Thrones – it was extraordinary seeing so many creative people creating magical pieces and I knew instantly that I wanted to be one of those artists, I took a lot of inspiration from them.
What genre/style do you create in?
When it comes to my Mural and Illustration work, it’s all things bright and beautiful. My practice mixes a lot of mediums like spray paints, screen printing, 3d printing and laser cutting, all to create multi-dimensional and playful realms. I like to experiment with these mediums and figure out how to use them harmoniously.
What would you be best known for?
My pink hair! A lot of my friends and work colleagues would likely say that I’m the ‘one that’s constantly on the go and always working or developing new ideas’. I don’t see my practice as work, it’s more like having time to explore, grow and connect with inspiring like-minded people.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
In my film career as a Textile Artist, I would say getting the opportunity to design and create a printed costume for phenomenal singer Bjork in the film ‘The Northman’. This was super special and I feel mega privileged to be asked to create such a piece. Now I would say taking that jump to becoming freelance – staying true to what you love to create.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
If things don’t go exactly to plan, don’t get down about it and have regrets- put it down as a learning curve and learn from these experiences. These moments will make your practice better and stronger. Sometimes these experiences have to happen for you to know what to look out for in the future.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
I’m queer and proud, my amazing partner Vicky Allen is also a creative, working as an Actor in Belfast. I really enjoy spending time exploring the Irish coastlines and shores. Any free time that I get, I head straight to the beach and love hitting up the waves on the jet-ski. There is no better way to cleanse your mind.
Tell us about your most recent work?
I had a blast of a weekend painting at Northern Ireland’s biggest Street Art Festival working alongside some of the best names in street art. I created a piece to induce nostalgia – a blast back to the early 2000’s with retro box computers, floppy disks and internet explorer with some added playful 3D printed elements.
In my studio, I’ve been working alongside the talented Gawain, Neil and Dylan on the Ogham Grove project. This has been a super exciting piece and I have learnt so much from them about Ogham being used in Irish history as a secret language. My part in this project was to bring the Ogham symbols to life onto plaques that will be dotted around the Cathedral Quarter for this year’s Culture Night. For each piece, I have laser engraved and colour filled in beautiful unique pieces of living edge wood.
What would you like us to tell people about?
I’m very passionate about my mural and design work, whether it is for companies, like-minded creatives or for small businesses, I’m always on the lookout for a new creative project and adventure to work on.
If you are interested in getting artwork created or painted for your business such as digital design work, or walls and areas in your premises you would like to transform, give me a shout on Instagram.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
Bold, bright, 3D printed, painted wizardry.
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Keep going, keep trying, be persistent. Everything is an evolution and a step forward on the last thing and will help you edge closer to your goals.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
My studio has a pink wall and has 40+ houseplants in it.
Who do you look up to and why?
Anyone who is creative and who is super passionate about what they do and their work. I always find their passion very inspiring and infectious to those who are around them.
For more information on #CNB21 Presents The Ogham Grove, go to culturenightbelfast.com
To have a look at Zipporah’s work, follow her on Instagram