Art and Artists, Design, Digital Art, Weird & Wonderful

Finding tile in art

After first covering the eerily empty and monochrome tiled interior paintings of Adriana Varejão a few years ago, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with the representation of tile in art. Sprinkling in a few findings amongst our regular content, namely the bold and beautiful creations of Rachael Tarravechia and the intensely detailed bed-centric style of Frances Featherstone, has only served to increase this obsession. So today we’re giving space to a number of artists, highlighting the tiled delights amongst their works.

Lida Ziruffo

Based in Orvieto, Italy, illustrator Lida Ziruffo create refreshing scenes of life, rich with familiarity and the comforting warmth of childhood. Ordinary moments are given vibrancy as fleck of tile peek out from floors and walls. Making the most of her eye for tile, Ca’Pietra have previously commissioned art for their brochures.

A cozy cafe interior featuring two women engaged in conversation at a small table. The floor is adorned with green patterned tiles, and large windows illuminate the space, showcasing a view of trees outside. Decorative plants and rustic furniture enhance the warm atmosphere.
An artistic illustration depicting a figure in a basin filled with colorful underwater elements, surrounded by a vibrant tiled floor.
A cozy kitchen scene where a woman prepares dough on a wooden table, with a pot on the stove and a black cat nearby. The room features tiled floors, large windows showcasing a sunset, and a bouquet of flowers on a green cabinet.
A woman sitting in a cozy, colorful room, reading a book. She has long dark hair and wears a vibrant dress with floral patterns. A cat playfully interacts with her, while various plants and flowers adorn the space, and a sunny window provides natural light.

Jon Koko

With most of his work centring on miniature models and calming images of buildings and furniture, Japan and Sweden-based Jon Koko‘s palette is refined, neutral, and subtly moody. With ‘Public Bath’ this similar vein remains with rows of plain white tiles guiding the eye, drawing light, and emphasising the relaxation of the bodies lounging around the room.

A serene illustration of a public bath featuring multiple figures in various relaxing poses, surrounded by light-colored tile surfaces and a scenic view of a mountain in the background.

Maaike Canne

Rotterdam-based Maaike Canne takes inspiration from modernist architecture and interiors, depicting striking spaces bursting with colour. Creating artworks for beer cans, album covers, and coffee shops, as well as a series of illustrations for Mutina x Patricia Urquiola Canne’s designs embrace the merging of life and whimsy for a touch of magic in the every day.

A brightly colored interior illustration featuring a living room with blue tiled flooring, a round glass coffee table, a vase of flowers, and a view of a city skyline through an archway.
An illustration depicting a bright bathroom scene with a bathtub and a green snake peeking from behind a yellow curtain, surrounded by tiled walls and floors in warm colors.
An illustrated kitchen scene featuring wooden cabinetry, a bowl of lemons on a countertop, and vibrant, patterned flooring. A large red artwork is displayed on the green wall above.
An illustrated interior scene of a Japanese public bath featuring a yellow bath area, blue tiled floor, and a large mural depicting a serene landscape with a mountain and beach.

Yvette Earl

With a focus on the layered textures of fabric, flooring, plants, brick, and even the blanketing effects of weather, Yvette Earl‘s illustrations transport you to a romantic realm where life exists steeped in joy. Markets, pubs, facades, gardens, greenhouses, and landscapes share a comforting tranquility as touches of tile occasionally make themselves known.

Illustration of a rustic kitchen shelf displaying various ceramic and pottery pieces, including teapots and pitchers, against a white tiled wall.
Illustration of the Castle Hotel exterior featuring vibrant tiled walls, with a man in a colorful jacket looking at his phone and a couple walking by.

Carlo Stanga

Illustrating for countless companies and magazines from Mapei and Domus to The Wall Street Journal, Italian artist Carlo Stanga steps away from reality to create imagined scenes with altered perspective and whimsical detail, infused with intense colour and a playful sense of wonder.

An illustration of a vibrant interior space featuring colorful masks on the wall, a vintage typewriter, and unique furniture. The floor is adorned with intricate tile patterns, and large windows provide a scenic view of a cityscape.
An illustrated living room featuring a vibrant patterned tile floor, a green couch with a black and white patterned cushion, an orange accent wall, and an open window revealing a view of rooftops.
An illustrated scene depicting a colorful, whimsical coastal town with multi-colored houses, tiled rooftops, and lush greenery. Two boats float in the water below, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere and intricate architectural details.
A brightly illustrated kitchen featuring a blue tiled floor, colorful wall tiles, and sunlight streaming through large windows, highlighting a vibrant scene with a sink, stove, and various kitchen items.

A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, May 2025.

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