Collingwood’s Egg Gallery presents the debut solo exhibition of self-taught Melbourne-based artist, Mikaela Jane, whose body of work entitled, The Wild, is a collection of artworks that “challenges the viewer’s perception between the beautiful and the sublime”. Drawing inspiration from anatomy to celebrity, Mikaela gives us the lowdown on the creation of the works and what went on behind-the-scenes.
My name is… Mikaela Kennaway
But I’m also known as… Mikaela Jane
My latest exhibition is called… The Wild
And it is about… The left of centre, the conventionally ‘ugly’, and the peculiar. Challenging peoples perceptions on beauty and perfection throughout the animal kingdom and popular culture
Some things that influenced this series are… musicians and actors whom I admire for being pioneers or game changers, creatures that get forgotten
An album I listened to a stack when making the works was… Action Bronson- Dr. Lecter, TLC- CrazySexyCool and the Project X Soundtrack
The time of day I’m most likely to make art is… late afternoon when I wake up, or in the dead of the night when the rest of the world is sleeping
The hardest part of putting this show together was… not developing a claw from all the dots I have drawn in the past months.
First thing I do when I get up in the morning is… scream and look for caffeine.
Some other artists I have been enjoying the work of are… Hancock, ELK, Conrad Bizjak, Jack Douglas, Beastman, Kid Zoom, Jordan Buckley, French.
What I’m working on at the moment is… more portraiture, a couple t-shirt collaborations for various labels as well as one for charity and a couple of upcoming group exhibitions.
My favourite colour is… I don’t like colour.
If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing, I’d be… miserable.
The last website I visited was… some sort of illegal torrent downloading site that shall remain nameless.
My favourite youtube vid is (please include a link!)…
It’s a tie between Lady gaga throwing up on stage
and these crazy performing dogs
Tomorrow I will be… frantic as always. And probably cold because Melbourne doesn’t know how to have proper spring weather.
The Wild
Mikaela Jane
Egg Gallery
66a Johnston St, Collingwood
Opens Friday 9th November, 6pm
