Welcome dear friends
Elizabeth Oniri (aka Quilting Mafia) is a South London-based interdisciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in two central ideals: quilting and mafia. These concepts not only inform her creative identity but also shape the way she navigates and sustains her artistic journey.
For Elizabeth, quilting represents the layering of skills, ideas, and techniques — a metaphorical security blanket that both supports and protects her creativity. Each element of her practice becomes a trusted companion, forming a chosen family of methods and insights that allow her to over-stand (deeply understand and transcend) her relationship with art making. This layered approach fosters a sense of safety within an often insecure world, nurturing a resilient space for experimentation and growth.
The Mafia, in contrast, signifies a cultivated mindset — a network of learned strategies, techniques, and experiences that have been earned over time. This personal “mafia” operates as a tightly woven structure that guides and strengthens her creative process. It is not about dominance, but rather solidarity, adaptability, and endurance — values that are deeply embedded in her practice.
Together, these ideals form the foundation of Elizabeth’s work: a continual interplay between intuition and intention, discipline and experimentation. Through this approach, she sustains a dynamic and self-determined creative process — one that is deeply personal, fiercely rooted, and ever-evolving.