Name: Morgan Shimeld

Occupation: Sculptor

Location: Sydney

The moment you knew you wanted to work as an artist.
There was no specific moment, I have always enjoyed creating things. I studied art at University (SCA, USYD) straight out of school and I have been sculpting in some form ever since.

How did you come to be a sculptor?
I studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in glass at Sydney College of The Arts 15 years ago. It took a long time to evolve my practice from glass to metal and into a style that I can call my own, and I’m currently doing my Masters in Scuplture at SCA.

What first drew you to the practice?
Visiting Galleries as a kid and the emotional response I got from seeing amazing artworks that were either clever or really accomplished. Also, the concept of translating an intuitive idea into a three dimensional form.

Out of all the creative fields, what interests you most about sculpture?
I have a fascination with turning a raw material into something that is highly considered and has its own presence.

The most unusual/interesting thing about the way you work.
Although my work is very geometric and precise, I don’t use a computer. I create handcrafted maquettes, and then scale and hand construct my sculptures from those.

Which items in the workplace can you not live without?
My welder and angle grinder.

What have been your favourite three products this year?
My new Iphone for Instagram, my blue steel cap Diadora boots that a friend sent me from Spain and a plasma cutter for cutting steel.

Your top influences.
Modernist architecture and the Minimalist Art Movement from the 1960’s

Favourite material.
Sheets of bronze

Favourite local landmark/building.
I’ve recently finished a commission for The Office Space in the iconic Paramount House building. Having spent a fair bit of time there, I’ve come to really appreciate Mid Century Architecture.

Favourite international landmark/building.
The Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao, Spain. The permanent Richard Sera installation in the museum is also amazing.

Biggest career moment.
The biggest moment or phase in my career has been the last six months. I have met some really great people and had some fantastic opportunities.

Concern for the art and creative industries in the coming decade.
People working creatively have a lot more platforms online for showing, marketing and distributing their own work. However, it is still really important to be able to go to a physical Gallery to see a show.

Dream person to collaborate with.
I don’t have a particular person, but I would love to collaborate with Architects to create large scale, site-specific works.

See Morgan Shimeld’s work at Living Edge’s showroom at Sydney Indesign 2015.