Newly exhibiting her amazing work at The Makery in Sydney is NMDezignz, or as she is more affectionately known, Nicky Michaelides. Her jewellery and t-shirts are now available for you to purchase and we had a chance to pick her brains and ask her some pretty neat questions.
Tell us a little bit about your label (art) and what you do?
My art is an exploration of people through typography, art and design. Using acrylic I make jewelry and explore puns and create unique designs. Each acrylic pun has a visual story behind it, experienced from the world around us. My practice is influenced from the graphic design world (cities, people and âlow-browâ art).
What inspires your work?
Personalities, eccentricities, and cities.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Work in Signage, & some freelance graphic design jobs.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
- Pro⊠what? Blem? What is it? Problem? Ooh
- A couple of young girls walked passed my market stall. They stopped, turned around and inspected. One girl turns to her friend and exclaimed out loud, âGirl Online- thatâs so true, OMG so true!â
- Another buyer stated, âMy daughter is difficultâ, I will come back for that.
- People ask, âIs that acrylic?â
- Devilâs Advocate is perfect for the wife.
- âIâm not ready for that yet.â I wouldnât wear âdifficultâ yet, just not ready for it!
One thing you canât live without?
Water and WiFi.
What gets you up in the morning?
The sunrise and the anticipation for coffee.
How would your best friend describe you in 3 words?
Ponderous, hard-worker and technophobe.
What is the next skill you want to learn?
App and interaction design.
What is your dream project?
To get a 3m long acrylic live/interactive pun in particularly âhypercriteâ and situate in the public space. As people take photos of the piece, an album get collected one day in the week on a site and at a particular time in that week, the photos are projected onto the word. So its like an interactive lightbox-with images projected against it. Thatâd be cool.
Favourite or most inspirational place in Sydney?
Lentil as Anything.
Whatâs the best piece of advice youâve been given?
If we can put a man on the moon we can do anything.
What advice would you give to new, aspiring Makers?
Nothing is too hard- just do it.
And most importantly, what would your ultimate karaoke song be?
A Spoonful of Sugar, Mary Poppins.
So come along to The Makery at 106 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst to see all of her pieces and the other amazing works from local artists and makers.