News Release

Handmade Tile Association | 34 Thirteenth Avenue NE | Minneapolis, MN 55413

February 15, 2011 - For Immediate Release

*IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*

Minnesota Artist Combines Traditional African Art with Handcrafted Tile Work

Artist Named Handmade Tile Association’s Artist of the Month

(Minneapolis, MN) – The Handmade Tile Association named Leann E. Johnson, the artist behind Lea-Way Designs, its February Feature Artist of the Month.

Leann’s work combines the functional medium of tiles with the creativity of African mudcloth and Adinkra symbols. Her tile work includes functional pieces like trays filled with tiles that can be used as coasters.

“Tiles are tactile and a way to combine beauty with function,” says Leann. “I chose motifs and symbols from Africa to honor my forebears.”

Leann’s mudcloth designs draw inspiration from the traditional African fabrics that share its name. These fabrics are treated with mud before being dyed bright colors and decorated with symbols and patterns significant to the wearer and their community. The Adinkra symbols she uses show up throughout art in West Africa and represent proverbs and expressions depending on their color or context.

In addition to their unique visual style, Leann’s tiles demonstrate her interest in the physical aspects of her art. “Using the graphic boldness of the symbols against the bubbled background creates visual dimensionality on a flat tile,” she says. “At first people touch the tiles because of the visual texture.”

For Leann, it’s the combination of a tile’s functional and artistic quality that draws her to this field.

“I feel a person's home or space should be his or her sanctuary.” Leann says. “Why not surround yourself with things that create a place of calm and affirmation?”

The Handmade Tile Association is a union of independent artisans who design and create tile and mosaic artwork. It’s headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

For more information on Lea-Way Designs, visit lea-way.com, and for more information on HTA, visit handmadetileassociation.org, or call 612-781-6409.

Join Our Mailing List

For Email Marketing you can trust