Maria Vina Miller (she/her)

My practice is rooted in an interest in language, history, objects, materiality and place. I try to explore the often emotive links between these elements and build connections.

My process is materials led. The collecting of material and the act of making can be a performative act intrinsic to the artwork. I am interested in processes (time and labour intensive especially), developing things from scratch, exploring materials and developing new ways of using them. I am drawn to natural materials, to start with a raw form and for these to take on an unadulterated meaning as part of the work, and also as a way of connecting with the earth.

The work is always loosely performative, whether it is a physical journey, performative in process of creating the work or an experience. It is also part site-specific, investigating links between material and site, significant for their history, mystery and mythology. There is an element of archeology, reconnecting with the past is important space for artistic interpretation. Also personal experience and emotive element always indirectly feed into my work.

I am interested in exploring language, through etymology, poetry and translation. I explore the connections and disconnect across different languages and different uses of language, incorporating elements of Spanish as a way of connecting with my personal history. Through broken language and an artistic investigation into language there comes a freedom to play. I am interested in the balance between knowing and not knowing.