About

“I use all sorts of materials, including found objects but the sewing machine makes me come alive; the fluidity, the speed, the risk – it's an incredible instrument that I found by chance to keep me sane and is now an extension of my hands. It’s how I draw, even for my sketchbook”

Tina Crawford is a contemporary artist who works with textiles, free embroidery, found objects and paint. Crawford is a story telling, looking to her own life dissecting her past to create intimate forms with no soft focus filter. Crawford’s autobiographical works (looking at her identity from being the child of Indian immigrants, working class to her attitude to what it means to be British) can be hard hitting yet have a touch of humour.

Sir Paul Smith thinks her work “is great”, validation indeed from one of her design heroes he as a doll of himself stitched by her, as does Grayson Perry, Cornelia Parker, Tracey Emin, Martin Parr and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Tina still struggles fibromyalgia alongside being neurodiverse but finds both fuel for her work, she states she wouldn’t be able to work the way she does if it wasn’t for ADHD and dyslexia.

Ultimately Crawford’s work is about connection, the thread is almost symbolic of what she wants from the viewer - to connect. Tinas piece, Connected by a Thread, made in the 2020 lockdown literally connected with over 100 stories from social media, the piece has been acquired by the Science Museum.

The London based artist also creates bespoke gift ranges (under the brand Tobyboo) for some of the Capitals icons including Shakespeare's Globe, English Heritage, Kew Gardens and St Paul's Cathedral under the brand Tobyboo.

She lives in Croydon with her husband, daughter and cat but works in ThamesSide studios in south east London. .

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In 2019 Tina was listed as one of the top 50 neurodiverse influential women by Women Beyond the Box, you can listen to Tina on Sophie Ellis-Bextors Spinning Plates, (episode 30) where she not only talks her process but also everything that’s happened to get there.