{"id":3306,"date":"2016-09-03T09:06:09","date_gmt":"2016-09-03T13:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artthescience.com\/magazine\/?p=3306"},"modified":"2016-09-03T09:06:09","modified_gmt":"2016-09-03T13:06:09","slug":"creators-natalie-maras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artthescience.com\/magazine\/2016\/09\/03\/creators-natalie-maras\/","title":{"rendered":"CREATORS – Natalie Maras"},"content":{"rendered":"

Name:<\/strong> Natalie Maras<\/a><\/p>\n

Which came first in your life, the science or the art?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both science and art met around our family dinner table. Literature, chemistry and biology were in constant play. I was also exposed to a wide variety of crafts where I could use my hands to apply my imagination and comprehension of science. Throughout my school years, and right throughout university, I kept pace with science and art simultaneously – giving creative expression to insights I gained from the sciences or earning an income from science to fund my arts degree. Now as an independent professional artist, I look for opportunities to place a foot in both worlds. By deliberately placing myself among scientists, I believe I understand art more clearly.<\/p>\n

\"Natalie

Time of the Essence<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Natalie

Tragic Carpet<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Natalie

Chameleon<\/p><\/div>\n

Which sciences relate to your art practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I draw greatest inspiration from the biological and physical sciences. I am endlessly drawn to the century-old relationships between biological soil crust organisms; the exquisite structure of diatoms and pollen; the phenomenal architectural characteristics of spider web and sponge spicules; and the patterns of accretion and erosion in the landscape I witness around me. At this age I am also beginning to turn my attention to astronomy and physics. In these areas a new scale of universal patterns is being revealed and that is exciting to me.<\/p>\n

\"Natalie

Frost Heave<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Natalie

The Scream<\/p><\/div>\n

What materials do you use to create your artwork?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I use refined imagination, elusive inspiration, and common perspiration. To date, I am most well known for my intricate polymer clay sculptures and bas-relief work. But I am increasingly recognized for my drawings, writing and presentation skills. Being a self-taught independent artist I feel free to use the materials that I see will work best. I have been commissioned to produce architectural artworks in sandstone, artworks from recycled materials and ephemeral natural materials as well as my preferred polymer clay.<\/p>\n

\"Natalie

Satellite Tracker (Borage Seed With Flower)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Natalie

Face to Face<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Natalie

Effervescence<\/p><\/div>\n

Artwork\/ Exhibition you are most proud of<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

The Kiss<\/em> was a breakthrough artwork for me, and for that reason I treasure it. It simultaneously captured familiar and unfamiliar visions, different orders of scale, and both hidden and obvious elements in a way that only artistic and scientifically literate audiences can understand. I am also very proud of the body of work I produced while I was Artist-in-Residence at the CSIRO National Research Collections<\/a> in Australia. After 2 years of persistence, a reluctant scientific audience finally allowed me to walk with them. My Interface exhibition was a successful ambassador for the merits of artistic endeavor in scientific contexts. I am gradually pulling away from emerging artistic status towards mid-career practice. I am looking forward to my achievements in the next 5-10 years, because I feel I have not yet realized my full potential.<\/p>\n

\"Natalie

The Kiss (Tiger Lily Pollen Germinating)<\/p><\/div>\n