Merilin Kolk
"To me, fashion is about each piece telling its own story, and subsequently letting the wearer manipulate its narrative."
Merilin Kolk
Fashion Design
City of residence, OSLO, NORWAY
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Location: Støperigata 2, Aker Brygge
Date and time:
Art Takeover: Thursday 11 October 18:00 - 21:00
Exhibition is up 12 & 13 October 12:00 - 19:00
Q & A:
COL: How old are you and where are you from?
MK: I´m 34 years old. Born and raised in Tallinn (the capital of Estonia). Currently basing in Oslo.
COL: What do you do?
MK: I recently completed my Bachelor`s Degree in fashion design from Oslo National Acadamy of the Art.
COL: How long have you been doing it?
MK: Not long. I have always been interested in fashion. I`d known for a long time that I was meant to be doing something creative. Yet, it was not until I was in my late twenties that I felt I had the emotional maturity to make a move. I was studying business and economics for 5 years´ time and worked in a Tax Office before I decided to study fashion design.
COL: What inspired you to pursue a career in art?
MK: A realization that it´s better to try and fail than to live your life doing something you regret.
COL: Do you remember your first work of art?
MK: I cannot remember the first one, but my mother told me that I cut my own hair at age 4. It´s like Edward Scissorhands came alive in me. I have heard that that jagged homemade haircut was a great artwork.
COL: If you could have any piece of art in history, what would you choose?
MK: There are so many. One of the paintings or drawings by Egon Schiele.
COL: What is your relationship with fashion?
MK: To me, fashion is about each piece telling its own story, and subsequently letting the wearer manipulate its narrative.
COL: What does the word “collective” mean to you as an artist?
MK: A creative support system. Networking, skills and experience that goes beyond creative degree.
COL: What is the best and worst thing about being an artist?
MK: Doing the work you believe in and experiencing the people involved in your passion makes being an artist fulfilling. The worst thing is that you are never satisfied with your work. You always strive for perfection, but perfection is unreachable.
COL: Who do you admire?
MK: People who are persistent through failure and forever challenging themselves.
COL: What can we expect to see at this year’s festival?
MK: I am collaborating with Norwegian photographer Cecilia Riis for the festival. I am looking forward to seeing the outcome.
COL: Who are you excited to see?
MK: Everyone participating.
COL: How important is the ability to expose your art to you and your creative field?
MK: It is essential!
