Mia Nel
About Me.
MIA, a South African artist based in Hong Kong, has redefined her artistic practice by exploring the unexpected medium of sugar. Having lived and worked in Africa, Europe, and Asia, she explores shifting concepts of origin and identity. Mia views herself as a cultural hybrid using her art to depict personal experiences, creating a world between two cultures trying to navigate the space amongst her African heritage and Hong Kong life.
Bio
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MIA was born (1980) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is a third-generation artist. She earned her degree in graphic design and illustration from the University of Stellenbosch before embarking upon a multi-decade design career, working mainly in London and Hong Kong.
Since relocating to Hong Kong over a decade ago, her artistic journey has been profoundly shaped by an exploration of identity, culture, and the natural world. Initially focused on ink painting and brush calligraphy, she found inspiration in the ancient art of Chinese sugar painting. Born out of a pandemic experiment, her recent work seamlessly blends her ink and brush techniques with preserved sugar sculptures.
Mia reinterprets this ancient Chinese art-form to invite viewers to contemplate the impermanence of beauty, the importance of preservation, and the interconnectedness of human culture and the natural world.”​
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Sugar Canvas
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Sugar has a fascinating property - it's a natural preservative! People have used it for centuries to keep things from spoiling. Mia takes advantage of this and formulated a sugar-based paste specifically for sculpting.
"The Art of Preservation, a modern twist on tradition is rooted in my personal journey between Africa and Asia. I employ sugar, my unexpected canvas, as a medium to create thought-provoking sculptures. A visual dialogue that reflects on the fragility of our world, where cultural heritage and ecological balance are increasingly under threat.
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Unlike traditional sugar art, which is ephemeral and edible, my sculptures are preserved by combining traditional techniques and inspiration with modern preservation methods. With this innovative approach I've created a unique and durable art form that allows me to elevate sugar art to the status of enduring object d art, challenging perceptions of its limitations.
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Sugar Facts
Sugar, a natural preservative can last indefinitely by absorbing moisture from its surroundings, starving bacteria and mold. Sugar's natural preservative powers, combined with my innovative dehydration and resin encapsulation techniques, safeguard my artwork for generations. It's like preserving a preservative.
Here is what the experts say.
Get in touch
For general enquiries, images of available works, and a price list, email me at hello@mianel.com