vibrant layers

Image: Teel Studios

What do you see when you look at a sheet of plywood? For Wollongong artist Misha Harrison - our Spring 2022 issue cover star - the answer is unlimited potential.

Words Erin Huckle

Through intricately cut and assembled plywood artworks – bringing together elements of sculpture, painting and embroidery – Misha Harrison creates 3D woodcut pieces, which capture the vibrancy and texture of her subjects. Each piece is labour-intensive – cutting, sawing, sewing, sanding, gluing and stitching, to create an intricate jigsaw puzzle featuring surprising elements.

“I’m constantly pushing my materials to their limits – testing the strength of the plywood I’m cutting, seeing how far I can take it in terms of intricate shapes and layers. Each piece is like a puzzle I’m trying to solve,” says Misha, chatting in her home studio, surrounded by the eye-catching pieces for her latest show. This exploration of the materiality of the plywood means Misha can create portraits and still-life artworks – but this is still-life as you’ve never seen it before.

From vibrant pops of tropical colours, exotic fruits and exquisitely formed flowers, to the muted palettes of Australian native flowers arranged carefully in vases and surrounded by lace doilies, Misha’s still-life series is created to push the boundaries of wall art. Each piece can be hung like a traditional painting but contains 3D sculptural elements.

Creating arrangements from her own imagination, as well as from photos, the larger pieces in Misha’s studio take around 50 hours of intense work from start to finish. “It’s hard work but so rewarding. I find the shapes, textures and patterns of nature so inspiring. It’s amazing seeing a piece of wood grow into something unexpected,” says Misha.

Misha is a true Wollongong local, growing up here and studying fine arts at Wollongong TAFE, before completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in sculpture and textiles, at the University of Wollongong, where she graduated within the top five per cent of her faculty. In 2016, Misha completed her Honours degree, graduating at the top of her class.

While her style has evolved over the years, her talent and skill have been consistently recognised. Misha has won the NAVA Graduating Student Award, the Hazelhurst Artist in Residence, the Liz Jeneid Textile Prize and was selected to exhibit in the North Sydney Art Prize in 2017.

Throughout 2018 and 2019, Misha was the resident artist at the Barracks Art Studio in Thirroul. She now has an ongoing partnership with the Sydney Road Gallery, where this year she’s hosting a solo show as well as taking part in group show events. Misha will also be exhibiting at the Corner Store Gallery in Orange and was recently awarded a 12-month scholarship through the Jumbled Art Superstar competition. In addition, she was recently interviewed by The Living Room’s host Baz du Bois as part of the ‘People of Ryobi’ series.

Misha says she’s seen the Wollongong art scene evolve and agrees it’s an exciting time for creatives and makers to be working in the region.

“The local art community is evolving and becoming much more diverse and accepting of new ideas. It’s exciting. And the pandemic has also been a positive for artists in some ways. During lockdowns I had more time to work and experiment, and online sales have increased as people were looking for new pieces to add to their home collections,” says Misha.

For aspiring young local artists, Misha is a great role model – showing what can be achieved through learning and creating locally. While she admits being creative can be hard – you have to be vulnerable, cope with imposter syndrome, and be able to back yourself and your ideas – it’s also immensely satisfying.

“If you’re an artist just starting out, my biggest piece of advice is to experiment as much as possible. Try different things, until you find something you genuinely want to do every day. Be prepared to put in the work, put in the hours, and don’t be afraid of rejection. Not everyone will love what you do, but by finding the right people and being proactive in putting yourself out there, you can succeed,” she says.

When it comes to the future, Misha is experimenting with creating furniture using her wood inlay artworks, such as the dining tables and smaller tables she has already built – intricate patterns of wood safely displayed under glass, which are both artful and practical.

She is also looking forward to more exhibitions, and to making new sculptural pieces inspired by the world around us. “My works are a response to our current world where handmade items are few and far between. In a world full of mass-produced and ready-made, my artworks aim to express human connection through notions of the handmade,” says Misha. “Each of my works are a little part of my soul.”

See Misha’s work:
13-27 November
Sydney Road Gallery, Balgowlah
‘People of Ryobi’ with Baz du Bois
Online at youtube.com/RyobiAustralia

Find out more at mishaharrison.com.au

Misha is available for commissions, follow her on social media to learn the latest. To hear more of her story, check out her episode on the Art Wank podcast, and interview with Baz du Bois, as part of the ‘People of Ryobi’ series.