One emerging artist is adding colour to spaces across Sunderland. The charming illustrations are inspired by the city’s iconic landmarks, its natural environment and hidden gems.
Emily Butterfield is one of the city’s newest talents, bringing her brand of feel-good design to spaces all over Sunderland. Since launching her business in 2021, Emily has gone from strength to strength and now shares her decorative designs with individuals, public buildings and private companies. As Emily describes it, “This is an amazing place to be an artist. It’s a place that’s evolving and full of opportunity.”
Scores of support
Emily always knew she wanted to be an artist. After completing the Illustration and Design course at the University of Sunderland, she decided to continue her studies and undertake a Masters in Design. “I’m proud to be from the North East and wanted to stay in the region.”
She won a Robson Creative Internship in 2021, which allowed her to access practical, real world arts experience and join the university’s Sunderland Creatives Agency. “One of the reasons I chose Sunderland University was because of the grants and scholarship schemes offered to artists, and the links to creative agencies and groups,” says Emily, “It’s given me the confidence to branch out and source my own work.”
“I feel lucky to be able to do the work I do – and really proud to see the difference it makes to people.”
Transforming spaces
Emily’s distinctive designs are making a difference to shared spaces across Sunderland and beyond. Some of her work includes murals for businesses such as Creo Comms and the Red Sky Foundation. More recently, the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust commissioned a mural in the maternity ward at Sunderland Royal Hospital, as part of a project with Sunderland Maternity Voices Partnership.
“Finishing the mural at the hospital was a really special moment,” she says. “We worked hard to produce a piece with the right kind of atmosphere, creating a sense of calm at a time when people might be in pain or feeling frightened.”
Leaving her mark
The creative opportunities in Sunderland are just some of the benefits available for Emily and other young people. “There’s a change happening already. You can see a lot of time, money and talent being invested.”
Emily’s latest venture is creating original artwork for Washington’s Wetlands Centre, and she has strong ambitions of it being the first of many to come. “I’m ready to go, to get to work and start the next stage of my career here.”
Feeling inspired?
Take it further with these related pages and websites:
Take a closer look at Emily’s work.
Explore opportunities at The University of Sunderland.
Discover more about the Sunderland Creatives project.
Plan a stroll around some of Tyne and Wear's best public art.