Eleanor Nadimi

Eleanor Nadimi is a London based artist whose practice spans painting, textiles, design, and colour consulting — she is also the founder of One Nine Eight Five. Drawing on her Iranian heritage, Eleanor blends traditional geometric patterns with midcentury architectural influences to create her distinctive style.

With an MA in Printed Textiles from the Royal College of Art, Eleanor’s abstract work explores the interplay between colour, form, and mood. Her creations often reference Modernist palettes and are inspired by artists James Turrell, Josef Albers and Mark Rothko, and textile designers Marion Dorn and Eileen Gray. Though minimal in appearance, Eleanor’s pieces are deliberate in composition, with a focus on colour and texture that reflect her interest in how spaces can shape our emotions.

“Colour is incredibly powerful, especially in interiors — it can completely change your mood. I’m fascinated by how different combinations, a single tone, or a specific placement can affect our state of mind.”

Eleanor’s framed artworks use reclaimed frames, each playing a crucial role in inspiring the piece. Frames are either left in their original state, preserving the unique markings from their past life, or restored and painted as an extension of the canvas.  The latter approach softens the distinction between the painting and its surroundings, reflecting the fluidity of midcentury design, enhancing the connection between the piece and its environment.

Living and working in a converted Victorian textile factory with her rescue dog Lulu, Eleanor continues to explore the intersection of colour, architecture and human experience. Her ongoing Palm Springs series delves into the relationship between midcentury desert modernism and the surrounding landscape, capturing the way these architectural forms blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.