Conkers, Stilton or Pimm’s?

Lydia Leith

“I like to set up a mini production line and listen to Kraftwerk…”

Carlisle based artist and designer Lydia Leith specializes in a peculiarly English pastime – self-deprecation and piss taking. The ephemera of popular culture from that small island – both past and present, are imaginatively repurposed in collectables such as Royal wedding sickbags, jubilee tattoos and milk top magnets. Little wonder her style has been selected by quintessentially British brands like Pimm’s and British Airways.

What’s keeping us up at night, though, is the question of - conkers, Stilton or Pimm’s?

All three of course! But conkers in Autumn, Stilton in Winter and Pimm’s in Spring and Summer!

It seems I have catered for every season with out even realizing. I love little traditions that come around year after year, like a ritual. There is always something to be looking forward to.

My design work often has a hint of nostalgia or childhood but I also like to be inspired by fun, events or current happenings in the news. This is then (if possible) mixed with a bit of humour and a simple, bright bold aesthetic.

I usually think of an idea first, then spend days sometimes weeks sourcing factories and working out ways to make my ideas come to life. I use any materials I can get hold of, for the jelly moulds I had to make a plaster model then find a factory that did vacuum forming. For the conkers I had to go to a pottery studio and for the stilton cheese cards I photographed cheese, slightly odd behaviour but at least I got to eat it afterwards! One of my favourite jobs is to visit a factory, they are amazing places. When I hand make things in my studio I like to set up a mini production line and listen to Kraftwerk! Hand making is very personal and I like how every item can be slightly unique, like the conkers.

Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg
Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg
Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg
Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg
Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg
Lydia Leith, A Curate's Egg

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