WHO IS TIAH?

Tiah

Oct 12

3 min read

An introduction to the artist, workshop facilitator and person behind the work

If you have recently discovered me on Instagram or LinkedIn, you may have seen a little introduction to my work as an artist, workshop facilitator and community-minded creative based in London.

But who am I beyond the artwork, the workshops and the photographs I share?

I'm Tiah Algalarrondo. My background is in fashion design and applied arts, and my creative interests include textiles, embroidery, mixed media and upcycling. I enjoy experimenting with colour, texture and materials, and finding new possibilities in the things I make.

Alongside my own creative practice, I facilitate workshops and contribute to community projects. I believe creativity should be accessible to everyone—not only people who already think of themselves as artists. You do not need to be an expert, own lots of materials or produce something perfect to benefit from making.

But my journey into community art is also a personal one.

After losing my baby in November 2022, at 21 weeks and five days of pregnancy, I found myself feeling deeply isolated. I did not have family in the UK, and I was at home waiting for my older children to return from school. I needed connection, somewhere to go and a way to begin feeling part of the world again.

What started around a café table as a small community group gradually became something much more meaningful to me. I made friends, gained confidence and found a sense of belonging. Creative courses and the encouragement I received at Art4Space also helped me explore textile art and reconnect with

my creativity.

Those experiences shaped how I see art today. Creativity did not erase grief or solve every difficulty, but it gave me space to express myself, connect with people and imagine new possibilities. It is one of the reasons I want to create welcoming spaces where other people can explore, make things and feel less alone.

I'm still building my path. Much of my community work has been voluntary, and I'm learning how to develop my workshops and creative projects into something sustainable while keeping accessibility and community at the heart of what I do. I don't have everything figured out, and I don't want to present a polished version of success that hides the reality of the journey.

This blog is where I will share more of that journey: my creative background, the community group that changed my life, the people and places that encouraged me, why I became a community artist, and the realities of building a sustainable creative practice.

If you would like to get to know me beyond the short introductions on social media, I invite you to follow this series and discover more of my story, one post at a time.

This is jus the beginning...

A seven-article blog series about creativity, community and building a sustainable