Natasha Mann

Decorative painter

©Julian Calder

A Moroccan wonder of decoration

Natasha is inspired by Zouaq painting
She uses the egg tempera technique
All her work is made with natural materials

The decorations painted by Natasha Mann are a delight to the eye: the mixture of geometric patterns with the use of natural pigments and 24 carat gold leaf are as complex as they are aesthetic. Committed to working with natural materials, Natasha uses the egg tempera technique to decorate wood, a method that dates back thousands of years. From boxes to ceilings, lamps to decorative pieces, her mastery of the traditional Moroccan decorative painting known originally as Zouaq allows her to work on different types of creations, always achieving the same beautiful effects. Her excellence was celebrated in 2018 when her work was selected for the Prince and Patron Exhibition to mark the 70th birthday of HRH the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

Where

Interview

What is your educational background?: I studied Arabic and French at the University of Cambridge, followed by a Master in Traditional and Islamic Arts from the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Art, and finally a second Master in Medieval Spanish and Moroccan Art and Architecture from the Courtauld Institute.
Did you start your craft career after graduating?: After graduating, I began teaching courses in Moroccan painting as well as building up a client base and taking commissions for artworks. My first proper commission was to paint a life size elephant in a decorative Moroccan style as part of Elephant Parade 2010 in London.
What is your specialisation?: I specialise in decorative painting which is largely inspired by Moroccan patterns. I draw all my geometric designs by hand using a compass and ruler. All my work is made using natural pigments with egg tempera as well as gilding with genuine gold leaf.
How would you define a "well made" object?: A well made object for me is something that is crafted from natural materials by hand using learned and practised skills and techniques. It would demonstrate the manual and mental skills of the artisan coming together to result in a creation.

Natasha Mann is a master artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2015