Abigail Picton-Turbervill

Founder & Designer - House of Untamed

Born and raised in South Africa to a Māori mother and British father, her work reflects the unique blend of cultures, experiences, and influences that have shaped her life and creative perspective.

Her love of art began as early as she can remember. One of her earliest memories is sitting as a four-year-old, endlessly drawing mermaids and practising their tails. That fascination with creating and communicating visually never left her and continues to be at the heart of everything she does today.

Abigail's creative journey formally began with a Diploma in Visual Communications in South Africa before moving to the UK to study for a BA (Hons) in Textiles at Cardiff University. Her education in design, visual storytelling, and textile innovation continues to influence her work, although her artistic process remains deeply instinctive and personal.

Unlike traditional artists, Abigail never begins with a sketch or a plan. Every artwork starts with music and a blank page. She allows her emotional response to the music to guide each line and mark, with her mind acting as a filter between the sound she hears and the pen in her hand.

Working exclusively in pen, there is no opportunity to erase mistakes or start again. Instead, she embraces the unexpected, believing that what others may see as imperfections often become the most powerful and authentic elements of a piece. As a result, no two artworks are ever the same. Even if the same music were played twice, the outcome would be entirely different. Each drawing captures a unique moment in time and can never be truly replicated.

Drawing inspiration from her Māori, British and South African roots, Abigail creates work that is expressive, intuitive, and unapologetically original. Through both her artwork and House of Untamed collections, she hopes to encourage people to embrace their individuality, celebrate creativity, and find beauty in the unexpected.

Today, Abigail creates from London, producing artwork that is fearless, deeply personal, and unmistakably untamed.