When creating my four pieces, I took a lot of inspiration from British artist, Maria Rivans. She is known for her scrap-book style collage aesthetic where a mash-up of Surrealism meets Pop-art. Rivans’s work re-appropriates vintage ephemera to create dreamy realms, which transport the viewer into fantastical worlds of the imaginary, each one suffused with vivid colour, arresting imagery, intricate detail, and finished with a dusting of subtle humour. 

          Rivans came out with a collage book called Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage which features over 1500 images that users can cut out and create collages with. I bought the book and instead of cutting the images out, I scanned them and digitally collaged using Photoshop to create collage pieces. In her book, Rivans includes some of her own work as examples to inspire users. Liking the things I saw in the book, I researched more about Rivans’s work and learned about her Pin-ups which take images of famous actresses and give them collaged hair-dos and clothing. 

          Rivans works from her studio in Brighton’s kooky North Laines. She exhibits work throughout the UK as well as internationally, including Hong Kong, New York and across Europe. Notable solo shows include the Saatchi Gallery, London, and Galerie Bhak, Seoul.