Merissa Hylton (b. 1981, Berkshire,UK) is a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in London. She studied at London Guildhall University and embarked on a career in architecture, interiors and textile design for 13 years before leaving the design industry to focus on developing her own art practice. She works across a variety of media employing both traditional and experimental techniques in her creative process. With a focus on painting and sculpture, her work explores her ancestry and identity through the use of symbolism, abstract imagery and portraiture.
She is inspired by African symbolism, spirituality and storytelling, and aims to share their rich narratives through contemporary visual interpretation. Merissa is a qualified university lecturer and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She was a key contributor to The World Reimagined Project learning programme and currently lectures international art students at a private college in central London and Westminster University.
“My work sets out to interrogate and dissect the many aspects of my own existence, including my ancestry, emotions, mental health, self acceptance, identity and healing.
Often working in a variety of different mediums, I employ the same methodology across all my creative projects and work with the principle that the spirit, energy and inspiration of the subject determine the materials and form of the piece.
Each project often consists of multiple works, often explored and experimented with in a range of different media, grouped around specific themes and meanings. During my process of research and production I often come across new areas of interest which in turn, lead to new bodies of work.
I am a strong advocate of art as a form of creative therapy and strongly believe that engaging in art - whether in a creative capacity or a voyeuristic role - has a beneficial effect on mental health and personal wellbeing.”