Maker Profiles: Minka Gillian
![Minka Gillian wearing a black dress standing in front of her colourful Mini Mind Garden soft sculpture exhibition in the Object Space window gallery](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/qpk3Lpb2EKj8pioojiYk8q_SM58=/1600x900/https://adc-2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/dd/images/ADC_Ceramics-Stories_Amy-Piddington-265-1200.897b002.jpg)
As part of Minka Gillian's work Mini Mind Garden, now on in Object Space, ADC's CEO & Artistic Director Lisa Cahill asked Minka three quick-fire questions to find out what inspires her as an Australian designer.
What do you make?
“I make woven biomorphic sculptures and installations out of found or recycled materials. I also paint and draw portraits of my sculptures concentrating on colour and texture. In recent years I have become involved in Public Art.”
![Minka Gillian, Mini Mind Garden 2023, photo: Amy Piddington.]( https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/RnvKnrPycNrGxcNru3lKNwyvO3Q=/adaptive-fit-in/1400x1050/https://adc-2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/dd/images/ADC_Ceramics-Stories_Amy-Piddington-102-1200.e3a5b50.jpg)
Minka Gillian, Mini Mind Garden 2023, installation at Australian Design Centre. Photo: Amy Piddington.
Why do you make what you make?
“I like textures, colour and repetition and find comfort and calm from making. I make what I make to better know myself, to tether myself to the earth whilst simultaneously tapping into another “realm”, the realm of the unknown, serendipity, happy accidents, creativity. “
![Minka Gillian, process, photo: courtesy of the artist.]( https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/8V2bqeCbzYkdfYosGZvVeX100PU=/adaptive-fit-in/1400x1050/https://adc-2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/dd/images/416103983_18407073934056864_6810849483076344411_n.e1b9e59.jpg)
Minka Gillian, process (detail). Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
What inspires you?
“My childhood growing up in Tasmania in the bush with a creek, nature, undefinable feelings, the human condition, the human body.”
![Minka Gillian wearing a black dress standing in front of her colourful Mini Mind Garden soft sculpture exhibition in the Object Space window gallery]( https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/HPwfLOzbvR_7ZuEMH9aymYPALQY=/adaptive-fit-in/1400x1050/https://adc-2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/dd/images/ADC_Ceramics-Stories_Amy-Piddington-265-1200.897b002.jpg)
Minka Gillian, Mini Mind Garden, 2023 Photo: Amy Piddington
Thanks Minka!
Learn more about Minka Gillian and her work, follow her on Instagram or visit her website below.