Alysn Midgelow-Marsden
Auckland, Aotearoa
Inspirer, energiser, facilitator and maker of lyrical, fluid sculptural works using textile based techniques.
Message
Described as an energiser and inspirer for her art making and her teaching practice, Alysn is a highly competent and widely experienced artist using interdisciplinary techniques. Her skills have been proven for over 30 years of working in the creative industries. Her artistic profile extends internationally through her books and exhibitions. Alysn regularly exhibits and mentors and teaches in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia and the UK. She has had work included in internationally travelling exhibitions. She has received funding awards to develop work, authored and published several books, is included in others and many magazine articles.An experimental and curious nature leads to continuously evolving works and media; investigating new dimensions as they develop. Materials include copper, stainless steel and other metal and woven metal fabric, wire, thread, paint and more.
Her most recent accolade was a 3rd place finalist in the Estuary Art and Ecology Exhibition at the Malcom Smith Gallery, Auckland for 'Mitigation at the Margins' (short film). Other awards for selected exhibitions include: Mandurah Wearable Art (Australia) for ‘What Lies Beneath’; ‘Wall Brooches II’, (Australia) for ‘Taniwha’; ‘Changing Threads’ Nelson Arts ‘Bernina Award’ for ‘The Space Between VII’.
Alysn lived in the Midlands of England for most of her life, moving to New Zealand in 2012. Her time consists of working from her studio and travelling to deliver workshops around the world. She finds that it is a continuing pleasure to adapt ideas into formats which can be taken on by fibre artists, embroiderers or other creatives.
She was awarded a 2(I) Joint Honours Degree in Marine Biology and Biochemistry from Bangor University (Wales) and a Ph.D. in Biochemical Systematics from Loughborough University (UK). In addition Midgelow-Marsden has professional qualifications in Textiles and Embroidery, Professional Arts Practice, E-commerce.
Statement
Alysn Midgelow-Marsden (she/her) is a British born, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland region artist creating mesmerising work with intertwining lines, structures and patterns. As an interdisciplinary artist she works across textile, sculpture and installation. Stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze cloths, wires, metals and gilding metal are regularly used and the muted hues of oxidizing patinas and heat treatments suggest tales of transformation over time.
A commitment to portraying emotional energies delivers work which is personal yet universal. She draws on transformation and change, the mystery and potentiality of the hidden and unseen celebrating connections by disrupting the boundaries between knowledge and emotion through dramatic, contemplative and visually stunning artworks. Alysn walks a narrow path between concept and aesthetics in a delicate dance of form and line.
In her work Alysn contemplates human existence within a universe seemingly devoid of inherent purpose. This contemplation becomes a catalyst for celebrating the brilliance of our consciousness and a meditation on the profound beauty of being.
Her compositions include wall based and freestanding and range from petite to substantially large.