82 Artists&Illustrators
RIVANS
Thecollageartistrevealsthe
influencesbehindheraesthetic.
Interview: REBECCA BRADBURY
WHEN DID YOU FIRST WANT
TO BECOME AN ARTIST?
When I was a kid, I used to watch the
Saturday afternoon matinees on TV
with my mum. There was a Bette
Davis fi lm called A Stolen Life where
she plays an artist with this amazing
studio. I knew then and there that
was what I wanted to do.
WHERE DID YOU STUDY?
While I was studying for my foundation
in art, I discovered I really liked
three-dimensional design. Brighton
Polytechnic [now Brighton University]
did a great course in this, so Brighton
is where I chose to do my degree.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
YOUR ARTWORKS?
They are labour-intensive collages.
I re-appropriate printed ephemera
to create fantastical worlds, as well
as to rewrite storylines and characters
from fi lms I love.
WHAT INFLUENCES HELP
DEFINE YOUR AESTHETIC?
There are so many! I listen to music
by David Bowie, Laura Marling and
Joan As Policewoman while I work,
and these all infl uence my art.
Then there are visual artists such
as Sarah Lucas, Hieronymus Bosch
and Richard Hamilton, and I’m also
inspired by fi lms like Planet of the
Apes and Land of the Giants, anything
starring Bette Davis and Joan
Crawford, and David Lynch movies.
TELL US ABOUT
YOUR NEW BOOK?
Extraordinary Things to
Cut Out and Collage is
an activity book for
adults. You couldWHAT WAS THE LAST GREAT
EXHIBITION THAT YOU SAW?
Olafur Eliasson: In Real Life at Tate
Modern [below right]. The installation
played on all your senses and there
was an Icelandic infl uence which he
conveyed beautifully. I’ve been to
Iceland and his work took me back.WHAT WAS THE LAST GREAT
BOOK THAT YOU READ?
Becoming Supernatural by Dr Joe
Dispenza. This book explains how
meditation works on a scientifi c level
and teaches how to shift awareness
toa quantum fi eld of infi nite
ossibilities. I try to convey
mething similar through
y work: how we’re not just
hysical beings but spiritual
beings as well.
Extraordinary Things to Cut Out
and Collage is published by
Laurence King. http://www.mariarivans.comMy works are labour-
intensive collages...
I find cutting really
meditative
10 MINUTES WITHMaria
produce a really
quick, energetic
collage in fi ve
minutes, or spend
hours creating a
really intricate composition. There are
more than 1,500 images you can cut
out, as well as step-by-step guides.HOW DO YOU CREATE YOUR
OWN COLLAGES?
It begins by sourcing pictures from
my collection of retro magazines,
books and postcards. I often let the
images dictate the form and shape –
it’s interesting when my initial idea
shifts as I cut and collate.WHERE DO YOU SOURCE
YOUR VINTAGE IMAGERY?
Charity shops, boot markets and a
few favourite shops around Brighton
and Hove. I love having a little root
around, it’s really exciting when I
come across something I can useWHAT ONE ART PRODUCT
CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
My Xcut scissors [right]. I fi nd cutting
really meditative, it’s when I come
up with a lot of my ideas and these
scissors fi t my hand really well.BRIGHTON: RHY KENTISH/UNSPLASH. INSTALLATION VIEW OFOLAFUR ELIASSON: IN REAL LIFEAT TATE MODERNFROM 11 JULY 2019 TO 5 JANUARY 2020. PHOTO BY ANDERS SUNE BERG. ARTWORK © OLAFUR ELIASSON