Manoela Grigorova

Manoela Grigorova creates vibrant mixed-media art and jewellery using bold colours and contrasting textures. Born in Bulgaria in 1983, her childhood was filled with inspiration from folklore, textiles and tapestries hung on walls like artworks in a gallery. Following the fall of Communism in 1991, her family moved to London where Manoela initially studied Art and Fashion Design. Ultimately disillusioned with the industry, she sought a more meaningful path. Her love of nature led her to work in animal welfare, during the day, and going into her creative sanctuary at night with nature as her muse.

As a Society for Embroidered Work member, she champions fibre art, challenging stereotypes around stitch art. Influenced by Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, her work features colourful, abstract worlds that invite tactile exploration.

"I've been creating for as long as I can remember, from drawing, painting to furniture upcycling, making clothes and jewellery. 2020 and the pandemic changed everything. I picked up embroidery and it became an escape from the stress of reality, helping me make sense of the ever-changing world. My work explores the contrasts of life, like the fast mark-making with alcohol ink versus the slow stitching process with fibre. Embroidery is so meditative, allowing me to process emotions with every stitch. My mixed media pieces combine a collage of paint, ink, fibre, and beading. My jewellery pieces are inspired by many things from art to the ornate rugs of my childhood. I often incorporate preloved and salvaged materials, breathing new life into materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. Inspiration comes from nature primarily, organic forms and textures, florals, corals and micro-organisms. I aim to create work that embodies contradiction, emotion, and curiosity, inviting viewers to engage with the contrasting textures while evoking a sense of joy and wonder."