Zoe Buckman

Multi-disciplinary Artist, Creative Activist, Mother

Working in sculpture, installation and photography, Zoe Buckman's work focuses on the themes of feminism, mortality and equality. Hailing from Hackney, East London and currently residing in Brooklyn, Zoe's work has been featured everywhere in between. With a talented eye and a huge heart, Zoe Buckman is disrupting the world of modern art.

Q: Where is home?
A: Brooklyn, New York

Q: Mantra you live by?
A: Life is happening for us, open your eyes and learn.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: A warm forest. 

Q: Favorite song of all time?
A: Juicy, Biggie

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…
A: I became a Mother.

Q: Last album you listened to?
A: Blonde by Frank Ocean.

Q: A woman you admire?
A: My friend Chantelle Sargeant, AKA the best English teacher my home borough of Hackney ever had.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different.  It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I’d say I am other because of how I see the world, how I feel about the world, and how I use my art to reflect these things.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----
A: Think simultaneously about sex, making a cup of tea, how lucky I am, my daughter, and what I want to achieve today.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: When it comes to cocktails—1, 2, 3, floor.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?
A: I have a twin brother.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?
A: Always keep finding ways to learn and grow and expand your practice. When you get knocked down, look for a way to channel that negativity into strengthening your work and your sense of self. Give yourself a finite amount of time each day to respond to admin, as it will inhibit your creativity and bleed into your time for making and evolving.

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.
A: I’ve never nearly given up! I’ve grappled with self-doubt and frustration, I’ve experienced longing for greater validation and approval, I’ve yearned to make more money out of my work… but I don’t remember ever being close to throwing in the towel.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: Consciousness is slowly being raised which means a shift away from our previous, hackneyed modes of living and governing.

Chelsea Leyland

DJ,  Actress,  Advocate and Influencer

Chelsea Leyland does it all.  Chelsea is just as strong as she is insightful,  attributing her heightened sense of empathy to her battle with epilepsy.  She discusses everything from staying grounded and surrounding herself with good people, to her morning ritual and advice for makers.  Read more about Chelsea below.

Q: Where is home?
A: Brooklyn NY & London, England

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Passionate Fruit Cake

Q: Favorite song of all time?
A: “Bad Girl” by Lee Moses

Q: A woman you admire?
A: My female friends. Lily Kwong, Fernanda de la Puente and Tali Lennox. My girls inspire me through their creative work and how they support and ground me.

Q: What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I have a heightened sensitivity which is both a blessing and a curse. I think it probably comes from having epilepsy and also having a sister who suffers from a very severe type of epilepsy. It has always been this struggle that makes me feel ‘other’ and ‘different’. I couldn’t have felt more out of place growing up, but with age I have realized it’s given me an easier path to empathy. I feel different but grateful for this.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning...
A: I dance naked...

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given
A: Go towards wise people, they don’t necessarily have to be intellectually intelligent, successful or famous but if they feel wise and grounded and nurture you, then those are the people who you want to surround yourself with. It’s about heading towards people who make you a better version of yourself, support you, and make you feel good.

Also try not to compare yourself physically, emotionally, career wise, or in any other way to others...we’re all on our own path. Let others inspire us.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker.
A: Stay in your truth. Always follow your gut...this is your intuition. Try to stay grounded and surround yourself with good people, it's easy to get lost.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: I believe that the future is everyone. The future is genderless. We need to stop separating ourselves from one another and see that we are all in fact one.