My name is Matilya. I am a horticulturalist, artist, workshop facilitator and community gardener. I have spent most of my waking moments over the last 8 years tending to and communing with plants.

My work is centred around building relationships between people and plants and creating spaces for healing, care and memory work. I explore diasporic ways of communing with plants and reconnecting with the traditions of my Kenyan and Tanzanian ancestors. This takes many forms through garden and place-making, collaborative workshops and archival research.

Work

Recent Projects

‘Herbal Skincare Lab’ at at Thackray Museum of Medicine’s ‘Thackray Lates’

Co-design and build of the Rowland Road Play Patch + Sensory Garden commission 2025

Tea Ceremony Facilitation at ‘Sustenance’ with Edible Archives, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture

Find out more about my work

Upcoming events

Herb Study Club

Date: Sunday 1st March 2026
Time: 1-2.30
Address: Little Core, Thackray Museum of Medicine, 141 Beckett Street, LS9 7LN
Come and explore medicinal plants through the senses!
Click RSVP to join the mailing list and sign up and find out more

RSVP
Coffee Reflection + Q&A for Amaaki Film screening

Date: Tuesday 17th March
Time: Following the 6pm screening (film is approx 2 hours)
Location: Hyde Park Picture House
A facilitated session after the screening of the beautiful Ethiopian film Amaaki exploring our relationships with the coffee plant, rituals around it and reflections from the film. I will be joined by the film’s director Celia Boussebaa.

Find out more
Spring Equinox Special - Herb Study Club

Date: Sunday 22nd March 2026
Time:12.30-3.30
Address: Meanwood Institute, 94 Green Rd, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4LD
Come and join us for a Herb Study Club social to mark Spring Equinox. Expect some herbal mocktails, snacks and crafty plant related activities!
Click RSVP to join the mailing list and sign up.

RSVP