Ipswich illustrator hopes book will celebrate women's achievements

An illustrator who has been showcasing inspirational artists said the response to her project had been "incredible".

Lily Hammond from Ipswich has released her third colouring book focusing on female creatives.

The illustrator and designer behind Uwu Studios said it had started off as a passion project.

She said: "I really want to shout about it and really inspire people especially young people that look like me."

Her third book is part of her inspirational women collection and features 10 female creatives, representing minority ethnic women.

"Never once was I taught about a black woman that was doing art, and there's many of them.

"I had to do my own research and I really want to shout about it and inspire people, especially young people that look like me... I want it to be a really inspirational thing for young people," she said.

The book showcases the likes of Iris Apfel, Kara Walker, Faith Ringgold and Tracey Emin.

"It started off as a passion project... the response I've got from it has been so incredible."

In 2022, the 25-year-old was part of a group of artists who created murals on Ipswich's waterfront as part of an initiative by Suffolk County Council's Covid Continuity Fund for Culture.

On her mural of the American Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, she said: "Maya Angelou is pretty inspirational. It will let young people of Ipswich know that anything really is possible if you put your mind to it."

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