@okaykiosk

Instagram: @okaykiosk Website: www.hellomagda.com

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I was born in Warsaw, Poland but my parents immigrated to Australia when I was young. Melbourne is where I call home today. When I was a teenager I was interested in things like skateboarding and photography and it was these hobbies that sparked my interest in art and design.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

My aesthetic is colourful and bright and tries to be minimalist yet still expressive. With my personal work, I try and reflect feelings of nostalgia by creating objects that are influenced by my memory.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

It has to be paper - it's what I'm known for. I love papercraft because I can make representations of the real with minimal effort. I love how light and colour can create a mood.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I'm a thinker - sometimes over-thinker. So after I finally decide to push an idea, I generally just start to play. I try and decide on colour and visualise composition before I start to construct anything. This can inform how the objects are made. After the building stage, I usually procrastinate on the set-up and photography stage. For some reason there's always a little hesitation going forward - it's probably fear that I won't do the work justice. After I've taken lots of photographs I can then pack-up and process the images. The editing process can also be consuming depending on what's going on. Each step of the process has its own challenges but overall it's these problem-solving opportunities that get me excited to create, not the finished outcome.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

There is no one source. I'm always finding little things that spark my excitement. Whether it's looking through old design books and magazines or a heartfelt conversation with friends. There's inspiration everywhere.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art plays a huge role in my life as it embodies the free spirit of creative expression. I think of myself as more of a designer rather than an artist. I'm versed in the commercial world but I also strive to create for the sake of it.

7. Where did you study?

ANU in Canberra, Australia. I originally studied fine arts photography but after I left art school I realised that I didn't want to hustle in the art crowd. I'm pretty sure I had imposter syndrome at the time, I felt like I didn't stand a chance. That's when I went back to school and studied graphic arts at RMIT in Melbourne, this shifted my career into design.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Still living the creative struggle. Trying to balance creative output with paying the bills.

9. What about in ten?

Most likely the same. Hopefully more of the creative stuff. I'm not a huge fan of looking ahead that far. Although I do realise I should probably start making some high-level goals for myself. It's the only way to feel like you're achieving and evolving.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I hope to satisfy my itch for creative expression. If there are some smiles along the way that's nice too.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Japanese food, hands down. I also love my mum's Polish home cooking.

12. Favourite book?

Paul Sahre - Two Dimensional Man

13. Favourite genre of music?

I appreciate a range of genres. Mainly electronic and hip hop, anything Jazz influenced. I'm currently really vibing on Italo-disco mixes.

14. What are your hobbies?

One of my favourite things to do is to hang out at the park. Whether it's just me, a book and a coffee or I'm there with close friends, some snacks and some whiskey. For some reason, I feel the most joy when I'm outdoors being inspired.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I'm channeling my inner George Costanza here, I'd love be an Architect.