Uniting Creativity and Community
Built By Us and Surface Matter host the fourth Studio Social session with a Pride theme "Paint and Sip" Event
On July 2, 2024, Built By Us, in partnership with Surface Matter, came alive with its creative atmosphere as it held its uniquely themed "Paint and Sip" event to celebrate Pride, supported by Illustrator and Architect Sam Lyons.
This gathering wasn't just about painting, building connections, sharing stories, and celebrating each participant's experiences. Building on this year’s health and wellness theme, three amazing creatives were together to share their work, interweaving queerness and ways to challenge the ‘norm’.
The evening began with an inspiring introduction from Sam Lyons, who shared his deep-seated passion for architecture and illustration. Lyons's work delves into the experience of being 'othered,' presenting this often-challenging subject with a blend of humour and fun. His opening remarks set a reflective and upbeat tone for the night, reminding everyone of the power of art to explore and express personal and collective narratives.
Reflecting on the night, Lyons said, "That evening, I felt inspired by everyone's stories and how we have, and continue to, challenge the rigid system around us. We are following our morals and finding success and joy in a way that feels genuine to us. The gathering was a wonderful community experience, and I hope we continue to empower each other."
Amy Matthews followed, sharing her journey into construction and the need to challenge current approaches to dealing with waste. Influenced by her experiences on-site, Amy has launched a business using “waste” materials to generate new materials and objects for the home.
Finally, Artist and Architect Martha Summers talked us through how they created an exciting new practice, exploring methods of resistance and disruption through a combination of art, architecture, and advocacy.
Participants told us that they found common ground in their diverse backgrounds and experiences, using art as a medium to express their journeys and make change.
Built By Us and Surface Matter's collaboration exemplifies the strength and potential of community-focused events. By bringing people together in a shared space, they fostered an environment where creativity could flourish and genuine connections could be made. The "Paint and Sip" event highlighted the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
Built By Us and Surface Matter have set a great example of how art and community intertwine to create memorable and impactful experiences. Here’s to many more evenings of painting, sipping, sharing, and inspiring one another.
Our hosts, Surface Matter, noted, “We had an inspiring time exploring relationships between space, the LGBTQ+ Community and the built environment at last week’s Paint & Sip Studio social. It was fun to see rescued material being overlaid with works of art, paint patterns, and illustrations. Seeing people connect and build their networks is something we are always looking to foster. We are excited to see what the next Studio Social has in store.”
Speaker Bios
Sam Lyons (he/him)
Sam is an architect and illustrator whose work primarily focuses on conceptual design, community outreach and promoting EDI within the workplace.
His artwork often follows a comedic yet troubling narrative to satirise the status quo. Often feeling on the outskirts of society, Sam draws fantastical scenarios in intense detail, with a near-endless number of characters trying to cling onto the scene and 'make do' out of their situation.
Sam is proudly queer and neurodivergent and is incredibly passionate about promoting trans rights, as well as encouraging healthy working environments for people within the neurodivergent bubble.
As a proud union member and young trustee at the Architecture Foundation, Sam loves mentoring recent graduates and has built great connections with Built By Us and the Architects Benevolent Society, where he is an ambassador.
Instagram.com/theUngaPatch
Amy
Amy Matthews Page is a London-based multidisciplinary designer. In 2024, she established Amy Matthews Page Design to create a collection of environmentally conscious, handcrafted homeware pieces that incorporate circular design and products made for longevity.
Having worked in design, business support, and operations roles within the architecture and sustainable surfaces industries, Amy has gained vast experience. This has fueled her passion for entrepreneurship, the circular economy, and utilising waste within design. While designing and building her parents' house extension, she became acutely aware of the significant amount of waste generated by the construction industry, even on a small scale. As a creative problem solver, she saw the potential to repurpose discarded materials.
Amy's practice is founded on the belief that the architectural way of thinking should extend beyond buildings. Through her brand, she aims to produce products that positively contribute to the spaces around us. She enjoys pushing the boundaries of design, exploring materiality, form, and function.
Amy is dedicated to curating the human experience within her work, constantly experimenting, learning new skills, and utilising hand-making processes with small-scale artisan craftsmanship. She celebrates diversity, proudly expressing her identity as a queer and neurodivergent designer. Amy rebels against the status quo, creating her own identity through unique perspectives and skills.
Instagram: @amymatthewspagedesign
Website: www.amymatthewspagedesign.com
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amymatthews-page
Martha
Martha Summers is an architect, artist, and designer who lives and works in London. They are the designer of several projects for the queer, feminist & trans communities in London. Their practice explores methods of resistance, disruption & world-building methods alongside themes of identity and domesticity. They are a 2023 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Rising Star.
Instagram: @marfsummers
Website: www.marthasummers.co.uk