interview: MISS AB
At 29, Amber Bignell (aka Miss AB) is one interesting pie-dipper artist. Having worked as a photographer, illustrator, toymaker, sculpturor, acupuncturist, graphic designer and ‘zine writer, Amber is now focusing on creating site-specific installations staged around her soft-sculptures creatures.
Amber’s mythologically-inspired and often satirical works have been featured in publications such as Dazed and Confused, Frankie and YEN. A previous Semi-Permanent presenter and current Element Eden Advocate, Amber has been very busy this year, creating new works for back-to-back exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and just a few days ago in Paris. Fresh off the plane and comfortably settled in her new home of California, Amber sits down to reflect upon her arts practice with Mariam Arcilla.
How have your childhood experiences inspired the way you create works?
I grew up on an isolated dairy farm. Both my grandmothers were sewers, so I’d read books and make things to entertain myself. My art is the most pleasurable outlet in my life. Previous careers showed me that I really suck at everything else apart from creative stuff.
Mr. Autumn, 2008, felts, mixed media | Various Miss AB creatures
Your latest soft sculpture work Mister Autumn, which is currently exhibiting in Paris, is quite an ambitious character! Tell us the story behind the conjure.
Mr. Autumn was inspired by the autumn trees and their shades of rusts & greens. I have always been fascinated with the correlation between the changing of seasons and our emotional states of blossoming. We open up and grow in Spring, while we shed thoughts & emotions & withdraw into ourselves for Autumn & Winter. Mr. Autumn’s leaves represent the shedding the things that once were in order to make way for the possibility of new growth & beginnings. I created him for my current installation at Collette in Paris, and he is huge - he stands about one meter tall!
Who was your very first handmade creature? What were its colour codes and idiosyncrasies?
Mr. Lavender Frog was my first. He had two shades of green, with matching green felt eyes. His innards were sweet smelling lavender flowers. He was sad & dejected, and even more so when I gave him to the RSPCA op shop, and then had to purchase him back for 50 cents after he sat there for weeks, alone on a shelf.
You used to practice acupuncture for many years. I find it quite fascinating that you used to poke into the skin of humans as a form of therapy – and now you are needling new felt creatures to life, and presenting them to people who in turn feel better. Is this feel-good mechanism the reason why you wanted to create these soft works? Or did you see soft sculpture as a natural extension of your 2D works?
Ha! That’s a very interesting parallel Mariam. My study in acupuncture was to nurture the compassion & understanding I had for those around me, but I found myself vulnerable & unable to separate my feelings after the consultation was done. My creation of creatures is for me a further study into human nature but a more subtle way of presenting it to the public rather than the insertion of needles. I often create a creature after witnessing a happening or situation.
Ra! 2008, Felts, mixed media | Fang, 2008, Felts, mixed media | Mr. Gallopin, 2008, Felts,found materials, mixed media
Tell us about your recent creatures, and what shenannegans they get up to while Miss AB sleeps?
Fang burrows underground in the Catacombs beneath Paris. His eyes are like laser-beams, which stun his prey so that he can eat them at his leisure! Mr. Gallopin is excited about Halloween, and this year is planning to dress up as a ghost in a sheet.
A girlfriend once told me of an old fable that says a toy-makers’ toys should never learn their name, because if they do the toys will come alive & kill their maker! Thankfully that hasn’t happened yet!
What was your favourite story time tale or TV show as a kid?
I have always loved ancient Arthurian legends especially The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley and the Anne Rice series of ‘The Vampire Lestat’
You have been travelling quite a lot lately. Any highlights or tips from your worldy trips?
Every new place always uncovers jewels of inspiration, from meeting like minded forward thinking people to being completely lost with your camera and finding some deserted park, alley way or restaurants. I was always so scared to be lost but now… it is true freedom for me. The thing is you don’t even have to travel to be inspired. Inspiration is waiting outside your front door. When I travel I hop on the Metro, pick a destination while blindfolded & go. My favourite things are always the unplanned events. Exploring the unknown is like being a child again.
Miss AB taking Mister Autumn for a Parisian stroll.
For an artist, to pursue a career in commercial and experimental projects, and to succeed in both, is quite rare. But you have managed to achieve this at an early age. What are the pros and cons of cart-wheeling between both worlds?
1. Multitasking – creative success is 90% organization and 10% create.
2. Being able to create something commercially with substance but then detach from it.
3. Standing up & not being afraid to ask for what you want from collaboration partners.
4. Being prepared to not be able to afford to eat some weeks.
5. Truly love & be passionate about your art & pursuing dream projects.
6. Make things happen yourself, nothing is given for free.
7. Never accept being told No!
8.Only surrounding yourself in positivity & supportive people that love you.
What is on your wish list for things to achieve in 5 years, as Miss AB the artist, and as Amber Bignell the person?
To continue to create & travel. Creatively, I always strive to accomplish something I have never done before or exhibit in a place I haven’t ventured to. Personally, I just married the man of my dreams so I am looking forward to having a home, nesting and enjoying the simple pleasures of being a wife!
Mister Autumn and friends - window installation at Collete in Paris, France | Halloween 2008
Click here to watch the oh-so new short film starring Mister Autumn and Miss AB in Paris.
All images courtesy of Miss AB and her yayish cretins.
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