Weaving and its many iterations has been gaining a place in the spotlight recently. Sydney artist Michele Morcos is one of the proponents for this intricate art form. While she creates works to exhibit, such as in her recent show at Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Michele also hosts workshops teaching others how to create woven bowls using recylced materials, including plastic bags, raffia, wool and fabric. You can see more of Michele’s work on her blog Tiny Trappings and through her Instagram feed.
Which five words best describe you? Colourful, passionate, creative, meditative, researcher.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I guess I’ve always been on a creative path, but the “career” bit has always been a work in progress. Everyone tells you there are no sustainable career pathways in the creative arts so I’ve never really focused on it. I’ve always viewed myself as an apprentice and kept doing what I love, and taken every opportunity that I can. From studying fine arts at COFA in the mid-90s, to working in galleries for 10 years, from exhibiting my work in group shows, and volunteering my time in amazing collaborative projects, it’s all been worth it. And I’ve learnt so much.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Be patient, ask lots of questions, be respectful and do your research about of others in the industry, and be innovative and brave with your artwork. It’s great to admire someone’s work, but try and find your own intuitive style of making a mark.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Every time I put together a solo exhibition I always stand back and say ‘Did I really just do that?’ It’s so so hard to create a large body of work and then put it out there.
What’s been your best decision? To keep going, and back myself.
Who inspires you? So many people. From professional artists to people who teach art to people in the community. I’m constantly inspired by people who are passionate and don’t listen to what common-sense, logic or society tells them they should do.
What are you passionate about? Art and nature, and being in tune with both. Colour, travel, music and sport (funnily enough).
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Mmmm…. Tough one. Maybe Gustav Klimt as I love his art and approach to mediation within his art practice.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To keep doing this and be an artist when I’m in my 80s.
What are you reading? When I was on holidays earlier this year I read Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks, which was good but not as great as her earlier publication People of the book, which I still recommend to people when they ask for a favourite of mine.
images courtesy of michele morcos
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