Mister Finch

Leeds-based artist Mister Finch creates wonderfully strange and enchanting textile creatures. Entirely self-taught, Finch has developed a distinctive practice centred around sewing, sculpture and the transformation of forgotten materials. Vintage fabrics, old tapestries, worn curtains, antique linens and discarded textiles are carefully reimagined as birds, insects, fungi, hares, foxes and fantastical woodland creatures. Nothing is quite as it seems in Finch's world.

Nature is at the heart of his work, particularly the strange beauty of flowers, insects and birds, alongside the rich traditions of British folklore. His creatures often appear dressed, adorned or posed as though they have stepped out of a forgotten storybook.

There is a wonderful sense of character in every piece. A moth becomes something almost otherworldly, a hare might appear ready for an adventure, a mouse or owl take on an unexpected elegance. Finch's decision to humanise his creatures gives them a life beyond their physical form, inviting us to imagine where they have come from and what stories they might carry.

The use of reclaimed and vintage materials is an important part of the work. For Finch, these fabrics bring their own history and imperfections, adding authenticity, texture and another layer of storytelling to each creation. A discarded piece of cloth can become the wing of a moth, the body of a bird or the coat of an imaginary woodland character.