Jasmine Mansbridge VIC
What was the inspiration behind the piece that is a part of the SWELL Sculpture Festival 2021?
I wanted my work to build on the idea from my 2020 piece, which was all about catching thoughts, but I also wanted it to better reflect the environment of the coast. So, in designing this sculpture I thought of the lights present in the sea, the buoys and lighthouses and how they represent safety and the direction of home. In this way being with this sculpture is a reminder to come back to one’s own thoughts and to reflect on one’s place in the world.
Do you follow a process or plan for each new piece or do you ‘wing it’?
Like my previous sculpture this piece started off as something I have been painting first. So it was a matter of converting that to something physical. A process I enjoy very much.
Would you describe your artistic journey as a slow burn or a wild ride?
Absolutely both, depending on how much I have committed to!
Can you tell us a little bit more about how you became the artist that you are today?
I have been painting and making things for as long as I can remember, it really is a life time habit that has grown and grown and I feel very blessed to be an artist. I feed it and it feeds me.
Describe your ideal environment where your creative juices flow?
I think you have to commit to creating that environment. Otherwise real life will always get in the way. My head is in the clouds often and ideas can come from anywhere, but it’s a constant choice to get in the studio and make the work.
Is there an artist or body of work that you would consider your muse?
Not really, as I am inspired largely by the shared human experience and am always seeking to connect via this and also looking to how we can create a better future. I am inspired by new ideas and better ways of being, both on a personal and at the collective level. I think that it is in looking forward that art stays relevant and alive.
If you had to choose 3 words to describe your artistic style, what would they be?
Emotive, engaging, hopeful.
Beyond SWELL 2021, is there a forthcoming project you are most excited about?
I am working on a project in London with NFTS for physical exhibition. This I am very excited about as it’s a world of new opportunities.
What does exhibiting in SWELL 2021 mean to you?
I love the opportunity to exhibit large scale work to an appreciative and engaged audience.
Is there anything you do to continue developing as an artist? Would you describe yourself as self-taught or formally educated in your practice?
I am self taught but I immerse myself deeply in things that interest me. These things always influence my work in some way. I am always pulling concepts, ideas, and phrases apart.
If you were to go on a holiday, would you venture to the ocean or the mountains?
I love anywhere that I can have both, as I feel I need both. I love to swim in the sea any chance I get or wander in a forest. Apollo Bay in Victoria is not that far from me and it is one of those magical places.
Gourmet restaurant or home-cooked meal?
Depends on who is cooking!
How would you describe your taste in music?
Like I was born too late, but overall it is very, very diverse. Music can take you anywhere.
The Author
Courtney Stephens is an emerging creative event producer based in Tweed Heads. After a successful career as a Practice Manager, her passion for the creative arts industry has led her to study a Bachelor of Business in Convention and Event Management. She hopes to balance her love for the arts, culture and nature with her strengths in communication and management to create community based events.