Beth Suzanna is a mixed-race London based artist whose uplifting work is rooted in colour and connection. Crafting the human experience with her bright and bold collage work. Beth uses her work to champion individuality, identity and diversity.
Her playful and vibrant approach focuses predominantly on the human experience, portraiture and community. Bringing a tactile, empathetic and human perspective to the forefront with joy always at the core.
Beth works on commercial briefs for the likes of The Guardian, Bloomsbury, and Politico, while her live illustration practice has led to collaborations with brands such as Hermès and Casetify, as well as creative spaces including the V&A and the Southbank Centre. She was also the Hay Literature Festival’s 2023 illustrator‑in‑residence. Beth centres community across all her work, believing creativity has the power to bring people together.
This large-scale piece of work brings to life stories collected from people who have engaged with the Old Fire Station in various ways: from Hidden Spire Collective creative projects, the exquisite food of Damascus Rose Kitchen, commissioned artists, to Crisis members who have taken part in our Artist Training scheme. These stories showcase the remarkable creative community being built within these walls and beyond the building itself. There is a palpable sense of warmth, positivity, and joy that extends far beyond the countless workshops, performances, and shows that take place here. The tapestry-like mural combines figurative forms that weave into one another, embellishing each other’s lives and expressing a true sense of belonging and connection.
The mural was created using hand-cut paper collage. Beth recognised the importance of choosing an artistic medium that reflects the raw and personal stories shared. Collage has a tactile quality, with each piece adding a new layer to the narrative, while the use of playful, dynamic shapes highlights the energy created within this space. Warm colours invite the viewer in, creating an all-encompassing sense of joy from the moment you walk through the door.