Wimbledon College of Arts catches up with BA Fine Art: Painting alumna, Olivia Moullaali on her experience as a student and her current practice.
Olivia Moullaali. Foliage, 2013. Oil on canvas, 110 x 97 cm.
WCA: What was your time studying at Wimbledon like?
OM: My time at Wimbledon was great. Looking back, in particular now it’s funny to think of how much your practice evolves from start to finish, even in the final few months of third year a lot of us noticed a dramatic change in our work. I think an advantage Wimbledon has is its smallness; there is a good sense of community throughout the school and no real divide between the year groups. Working alongside third years in my second year completely changed my worth ethic.
WCA: What did you find was the most valuable transferable skill you learnt whilst studying at the College.
OM: Being self-motivated is definitely a big one. I think personally degree show was where I learnt the most about working at a more professional level. Working towards a deadline and then selecting, installing and presenting your work. The atmosphere among everyone changes completely. Even though on a practical level I’m pretty hopeless, the Painting Technician Tim and from woodwork Pete and Will offer outrageous amounts of guidance and patience which is invaluable.
WCA: Please tell us about your current practice
OM: I am always interested in spaces which create a sense of emptiness that is sort of eerie yet inviting. I always trawl through various online blogs saving images, never really sure what initially strikes me about the image. The image that I’ll end up using is of a scene, which I feel has enough gaps that allow me to reinvent it in a way. I also like to photocopy the image so I can use my own colour intuition, incorporating flecks of paint or dirt that have transferred onto the photocopy.
Olivia Moullaali. Bundle, 2013. Oil on canvas, 99 x 89 cm.
WCA: What has been your proudest moment as a practising professional so far?
OM: Involvement in group exhibitions such as the Zeitgeist Open in particular was exciting. You are selected on the piece of work you send in only, no background information matters, which I think is a really good selection process. Being one of the youngest there and meeting artists that had been practising professionals for some time, and also the artists who run Zeitgeist was really inspiring.
WCA: Do you feel your time at Wimbledon assisted you in your career?
OM: I think having 3 years, which concentrate solely on your practice, definitely helps, as once you graduate you have to manage your time much differently. By the end of third year I felt like I was at a really good stage with my ideas and the work I was creating. The pressure is raised massively on the lead up to degree show, which gives you great experience for shows that you are involved in once graduating.
WCA: Any advice for future Fine Art students?
OM: I’d say the most important thing is putting in the hours if you’re all putting in the graft together you stay motivated and focused. And also use all the support you can get from all the tutors and technicians.
Olivia Moulaali. Room With Garden View, 2013. Oil on board, 80 x 60 cm.
Olivia graduated from BA Fine Art: Painting 2013.
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