Sasha Spyrou is an illustrator and designer based in Liverpool heavily inspired by folklore, folk horror, myth and magic. As well as illustration, Sasha has written and illustrated three zines with one zine (Guide to the Uncanny and Everyday Strange) being based on her MRes thesis of the same name.

‘Another Realm’ is her place to explore the uncanny, weird, magical and everyday strange of the world, experimenting with laser cutting, jewellery making, applique, screen printing and murals.

We had the joy of chatting to Sasha about what encourages her creativity, her favourite medium, what about folklore inspires her work and how this helps her to connect to her local landscapes.

Northern Folklore Archive: Have you always found yourself leaning into creativity, or did something in your life encourage you to be more creative?

Sasha: Whilst I have always been creative, it was going back to uni and completing my Graphic Arts degree as a mature student in my 30s that was the real turning point for me, because it gave me a massive boost of confidence in my artistic abilities, and I've not looked back since.

Not long after that, I studied an MRes in Art and Design, with my thesis on The Uncanny and Everyday Strange (which I later turned into a zine). That's what really brought together my understanding of the many threads of wyrd and wonderful creepy influences I've had throughout my life, and that by weaving them together I could create wonderful things.

You work with a plethora of different mediums: laser cutting, jewellery, applique, screen printing... which medium do you enjoy working with the most?

Each medium brings different energy and joy with it, however illustration is what I enjoy the most, as I am a lifelong compulsive doodler!

I worry sometimes about having my fingers in too many pies, but the truth is I get really excited thinking where my drawings can take me, and how I can bring characters to life, which is why I love experimenting in different mediums.

What is it about the wyrd and wonderful stories of folklore that inspires your creative projects?

These tales of wyrd and uncanny have long appealed to the whimsy in me, and I just love trying to capture their essence of character in my artwork. Again, this goes back to childhood, I was fascinated by all the weird and creepy, magical, fantastical and horrific stuff.

There seemed to be more Green Man pubs in London back then, with beautiful painted signs, and as a small child the idea of a Green Man was just puzzling and wondrous and magical. My Nan used to have all these books on folklore and witchcraft and paranormal, (alongside all those creepy paintings of crying children - why?!) so she was definitely a huge influence.

Do you find that working on folklore-inspired pieces helps you to connect more with your own local heritage and history?

This is one I have given alot of thought to over the years, because I am British and yet I have mixed heritage, from a long line of immigrants, I am part Cypriot, Irish, London east-end Jew, with Russian and Austrian too.

I am a Londoner who has lived more than half their life in Liverpool. I'm a Northern Southerner. I'm neither one thing nor another and sometimes I'm not always sure what I am, I have always felt Otherness. I am Pagan and there are aspects of folklore that speak to a part of me that understands the elements and forces of nature, of the turning of the wheel and the Old Ways. So, working with British folklore makes me feel more deeply connected than anything else has, it is my way of feeling connected to these lands, and its quirks.

I also see that the appeal of folklore has become dramatically more popular in recent years, more people are really getting into it, and I've been wondering on this too. I think maybe because it goes against the 'flag-shaggers' - Folklore is for everyone, and you can feel connected to history and heritage of place, that this is a way to feel British and proud of our lands and for that to be okay, instead of being horribly nationalistic and racist.

Lastly (and I'm asking this to everyone) one of the Northern Folklore Duo is a huge film fan, so this question is purely for him... what is your favourite film?!

How to choose one? I'm sorry, you'll have to have my top three!

Braindead
American Werewolf in London
Wickerman

We’ve met Sasha a few times now, and Another Realm is truly a magical creation which completely captures her sense of whimsy and fancifulness for all things strange. We all need a bit more magic in our lives! You can catch Another Realm here -

https://linktr.ee/anotherrrealm

https://www.instagram.com/anotherrrealm

Illustrator: Another Realm

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Illustrator: Another Realm

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