“Get out of your comfort zone and experiment!”

– MARIAN GILES

Since graduating in 2013 Marian is now into her second decade of making ceramic sculpture and still loves everything about it. She uses her art to think about human experience and making work that is interactive or otherwise engaging.

How did you get your first solo exhibition??

Friends (including lecturers) from TAFE have been very important in my day to day art, in exhibiting together, and in dealing with inevitable (art) rejections! I shared a studios over ten years with a friend I met at NMTAFE.

In terms of exhibiting work I have found it good to organise shows oneself with friends, as well as being included in shows organised by others.

What advice would you give to current Art & Design students studying at NM TAFE right now?

What advice would I give current students? Try everything! Get out of your comfort zone and experiment! Enjoy the fantastic resources — in terms of people and facilities, and so much freedom.
Your work will never again have such close and selfless attention as in your crits!

What can Perth and Western Australia do to support graduating diverse range of Art & Design students more?

Value art above sport?

What do you think are the most important qualities in an emerging designer or artist?

Persistence and joy.

Please list some awesome new developments happening right now in the Art & Design industry that you are excited by.

I would think fostering creativity, flexibility, awareness of tradition and of innovation - that are all part of art education - will also help to meet future challenges.

The small bowl below was photographed by Andrea Vinkovic.
The Sonnet 81 Works, Fluid State, photographed by Bo Wong.
Otherwise all other photography courtesy of the artist.

Contact Marian Giles for more information, using the website button above.