Maria Rivans is a contemporary British artist, known for her scrapbook-style collage aesthetic. A mash-up of Surrealism meets Pop-Art, Rivans’ work re-appropriates vintage ephemera to create dreamy realms, which transport the viewer into fantastical worlds of the imaginary, each one suffused with vivid colour, arresting imagery, intricate detail, and finished with a dusting of subtle humour. Here, we spend a day in the life of Maria Rivans, from morning meditation to beach walks.
I meditate, usually for an hour. Then I will have a nice cup of tea and get ready for the day. Maybe I’ll have a nice yoga stretch or cycle along the seafront before settling into the studio.
As soon as I could hold a pencil I began drawing, it was inevitable that I would go into the arts. When I was a kid I loved watching the Sunday afternoon matinees; Bette Davis in ‘A Stolen Life’ plays an artist, she had this amazing studio and I knew instantly that’s what I wanted to have and do.
I spend every day in the studio, I feel very content and happy there. It's like a safe haven and I love to create and make, whilst listening to music. I love to go out for walks along the beach and countryside. I had a very busy social life before the pandemic hit us. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends, visiting galleries, the cinema, theatre and going to restaurants. But Zoom socials and home cooking have now become the norm.
It has to be my opening night for my solo show ‘Popcorn Noir’ at the Saatchi Gallery. I kept having to pinch myself all night.
Managing the business side of my art practice, it takes me away from creating and that can be very frustrating at times. But I don’t mind too much, I like to be organised and busy!
I really get my kicks from the whole making process. It’s exciting watching an idea develop, I love the hands-on making approach I use to make my work and finally seeing the idea actualised into a final collage. It is very satisfying and then I can’t wait to make my next idea.
'This week I cut an extremely small image of a cow' - Rivans
If I am not socialising, I love to go home and cook a tasty vegan meal whilst playing some vinyl and then I like to get into a film or boxset and chill out on my sofa.
An astronaut or marine biologist or Wimbledon Champion or guitar player in the B52’s.
Discover more of Maria Rivans' artworks on her Art Republic collection page here.
