Art
No Order Magazine talks with the artist.
MiHiya! I’m Maggie, but I also go by my art name GERM. I'm 20 years old from Meanjin (Brisbane) and I love to express what I see and hear through art. I still have lots to learn, but I'm having so much fun finding my style.
What involvement you currently have in the art scene?
At the moment, I am developing a body of work and showing as much as I can in art shows/events within Brisbane. I am so new to this whole world that I never knew existed, so meeting local artists and creatives has been such an amazing experience. I honestly believe my ‘role’ in the art scene at the moment is to just watch and learn from people I have met, and I couldn’t be happier doing so.
How did your career begin?
I guess it started in high school, I initially just wanted to start a little clothing brand with the sketches I accumulated in all of my classes. I found out pretty quickly that I didn't enjoy the whole making and selling of clothes as much as I did drawing the designs. The name GERM comes from a song I loved at the time by ‘Wolf Alice’ called ‘You’re a Germ’. I never wanted to present my artwork with my name attached to it, it just didn't feel right. I was a very different person in high school, I don't think I wanted to tie my name to my weird creations. Now ‘GERM’ to me is more of a representation of who I have become.
Image via Instagram
What does the term art mean to you?
Art to me is a VERY broad term. I think sometimes it has the most complex meanings and at other times it has no meaning at all it just simply exists. I feel if someone can connect to it in some way that is art. Whether that's hearing a poem and connecting to a life event or reading a comic book and having a giggle. I love it.
What is something you wish you knew at the beginning of your career that you know now?
Even though I am still just starting out I wish I could have told myself that you don't have to have a million contacts or amazing skills or a total understanding of art to put your creativity out there. To not take it all so seriously, To have fun with what you make and take each opportunity as it comes because you never know where it will go.
What advice do you have for emerging artists?
I'm still figuring this one out, not too long ago I didn't think I would ever get opportunities like commissions or murals! At the moment, meeting people, sharing contacts and showing interests in any artistic opportunities that I find has been great. I interact with people interested in my art honestly and as open as possible. I'm super grateful to anyone who likes what I make and I hope I express that.
Read the full interview in Issue 01
Published: 15th October 2021