A Conversation with Laxmi Hussain – October 2025 Residency
Print Club London: Hi Laxmi! We’ve loved watching your residency collection come to life. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Laxmi Hussain: Hi! This month has been amazing. I’ve really enjoyed learning screen printing and gained a huge appreciation for the skill it requires. I’m a Londoner, born and raised, and based in Wembley Park, where my studio is. My work explores the body, particularly women’s bodies, the phases of life, and the tenderness of family connection, especially motherhood. I often work in blue, a nod to the memory of my late mother. Drawing has always been central to my practice. It’s playful, freeing, and allows me to hone a flow that thrives in my lines. This residency gave me a chance to reconnect with that playfulness, which I’ve loved bringing into this collection.
Print Club London: How was your time printing here in the studio?
Laxmi Hussain: I loved it! I truly didn’t know what to expect, especially with three kids and limited time, but the process has been incredibly rewarding. Screen printing requires preparation and discipline, which was refreshing compared to my usual spontaneous drawing practice. That said, the spontaneity of my work still found its way into the prints, so it felt like a perfect balance between structure and freedom.
Print Club London: You spent a lot of time choosing delicate papers. Why was that so important?
Laxmi Hussain: I work very tactilely and want each piece to feel special, thoughtful, and mindful. Many of the papers I chose are handmade, small batch, or personally significant. Some were gifts from my late father and others evoke memories of my mother or nature, like oak leaves, which she loved. Choosing papers in this way is a way of honoring my past, my family, and the sense of care and mindfulness I want my work to bring to the spaces it eventually lives in.
Print Club London: How did you find the printing process itself?
Laxmi Hussain: I hadn’t printed seriously before, so learning every step was exciting. I discovered a balance between spontaneity and structure. I could draw directly onto tracing paper and test different media, keeping the essence of my drawing intact. Many of my prints, made in charcoal or pastel, can’t be recreated once the screen is washed, which makes each piece feel unique. I also loved printing alongside new and long admired artist friends. The studio community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive.
Print Club London: Any tips for beginners translating their work to print?
Laxmi Hussain: Just go for it and try not to overthink. Some days I arrived with no plan, some days with too many ideas, and each time I found a way to make it work. Seeing all my pieces together at the end of the residency gave me such a sense of achievement. It’s a feeling you don’t always get when you are working alone in your studio every day.
Print Club London: Must have essentials in the studio?
Laxmi Hussain: Really simple. Tracing paper, charcoal, and tape. You always need tape!
Print Club London: Thanks so much, Laxmi. We’ve loved having you and can’t wait to see your next inky session.