Greta Menzies: Interview

KATIE BROWN - 7 DEC 2020

Wellington-based multidisciplinary artist Greta Menzies has a unique blend of skills and talents: with versatility across many different art forms (she currently works as a visual artist, graphic designer and illustrator), she creates work that springs from an exploration of consciousness, belief and meaning-making. And as Greta says, “it's also me being stupid, embracing chance and absurdity, celebrating my short, weird time being in a body on this planet,” a sentiment that is visible in the juxtaposition of lightheartedness with the thought-provoking in many of her works. With a bachelor’s degree in textile design (following on from a stint studying fashion) and a Master of Design under her belt, Greta’s fields of experience and expertise are broad.

Greta recently designed the artwork for Anna Coddington’s latest album, Beams, released 27th November (read our interview with Anna here). In the album Anna explores themes of identity, particularly as a mother, and Greta, with children of her own, was able to come on board and collaborate with a shared understanding of the motherhood experience.

Read more about Greta’s work in our Q&A below.

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KATIE: WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AS AN ARTIST/CREATOR/MAKER?

Greta: As a child and teen I did a lot of acting, drawing, screen printing and jewellery making. I studied fashion in Dunedin for a bit, then a degree in textile design at Massey's COCA (College of Creative Arts). I also did a Master of Design, which was more of an art project, but at the time a MDes was shorter than an MFA so I did that. I had surprise twins when I was 23, so my adult experience has always been making creative work within the boundaries of parent life. That has actually tuned out quite well - fewer options can be quite freeing if you want to view it through that lens.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEDIUM TO WORK IN?

Currently, ink on paper, and clay. I'm a bit jealous of artists who have their 'thing', because I am super greedy and I want to work with all of the things.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC SENSIBILITY, AND WHAT DRIVES YOUR WORK?

I generally say that my work is an 'actualisation of existential thoughts through making'. It's a product of reading, mostly philosophy, psychology & sci-fi / speculative fiction, and needing a way to physically process what I'm absorbing. But it's also me being stupid, embracing chance and absurdity, celebrating my short, weird time being in a body on this planet. It's a stream-of-consciousness process for the most part, so I get to see what happens as I go. Maybe I'm just trying to start my own cult, I dunno. We'll see.

YOU PRODUCED THE ARTWORK FOR ANNA CODDINGTON’S LATEST ALBUM, ‘BEAMS’, JUST RELEASED ON FRIDAY THE 27TH NOVEMBER. HOW WAS THE PROCESS OF COLLABORATING?

Just a dream really! Her album is a pretty raw look into being a mother, so she wanted to work with other women who had kids. We connected and understood each other on that level - being creatives who are also parenting. That meant we operated in similar hours, and understood if things had to be a bit delayed due to a sick child or whatever.

Artwork by Greta for Anna Coddington’s new album ‘Beams’

HOW DID YOUR PARTICULAR WAY OF WORKING AND STYLISTIC ETHOS TIE IN WITH ANNA’S MUSIC?

We both use our work to explore internal thoughts, so she sent through her music and writing - I read and listened, and then sat down and just let drawings flow.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON CURRENTLY?

I'm building an art studio in my back yard (I say I, but it's been a massive effort from my partner, my dad, and the help of amazing friends). I'm also working on a couple of public artworks, and planning some shows for 2021.

WHAT EXCITING THINGS ARE YOU HOPING FOR FROM 2021?

Having space to make work!

WHAT ARTWORK INSPIRES YOU?

There are so many!

I'm a big fan of Jess Johnson, and her work 'Terminus' with Simon Ward (which is on at The Dowse at the moment) is absolutely amazing.

Also Chloe Rose Taylor, Turumeke Harrington, Ebony Russell, Sam Duckor-Jones, Amy Van Luijk, Hannah Epstein, Glen Barkley, Yvonne Todd, Bill Hammond. That’s a big list and I could keep going for ages!

WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

This very minute? Rhesus Negative by Blanck Mass. But more generally, on high rotation at the moment: Anna Coddington's new album (obviously!), Aminé, Eartheater, Still Woozy, Khruangbin, Mastadon, Rina Sawayama & Dorian Electra.

Check out more of Greta’s work below, and follow her on Instagram | Facebook

Art: gretamenzies.com

Design: gretamenzies.work

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