Maika Garnica
Sometimes you cross paths with someone who instantly triggers your attention. Maika Garnica is such a person. With her joyful pair of eyes, giving away her Latin American roots, her charismatic look and the radiance of a particular sensitivity, she instantly caught my eye. One day, she stood in front of Maiwe’s booth at a Christmas market. I told her my entire rosehip story and she decided to buy a bottle of Rosehip Oil Serum. We stayed in touch and once I got to know her artistic work, I was intrigued by what she was making and wanted to know more. The beauty of Maika’s ceramic sound objects connects one to what we can’t seem to grasp, but what is shared by all of us. A sense of belonging and community is created through the subtle sounds of her collection of clay sound objects. Every time we would cross paths in Antwerp, we’d exchange laughs and a moment to connect. People like Maika make you feel seen, a basic need we all share. I just knew I wanted to feature her on our Journal one day, and here she is.
All pictures in this feature are by Mieke Verbijlen, an Antwerp-based photographer.
Hey Maika, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Maika, I’m 32 years old and I’m a visual artist based in Antwerp. I grew up in Dendermonde, my parents are Belgian and Bolivian and I have two siblings. During my sculpture studies, I left for Genève on Erasmus for 6 months where I got introduced to the world of clay and ceramics. Now, I have an atelier in the north of Antwerp. It’s a space that I share with many other makers, but I have a large room to myself as I really need to concentrate when I’m working. Besides my work that evolves around ceramics, I love to learn new crafts. I teach at an art school, and I take sewing classes a day a week.
"The objects I create vary in function, depending on the context they’re placed in. They can evolve from being a utilitarian object, to a sound installation, to shaping a performance, a film or a book."
What does your work represent, what is it you make?
My work evolves around connection, investigating the relationship between the audience, the environment and the artist. I work with sound, mostly through ceramic sound objects. The objects I create vary in function, depending on the context they’re placed in. They can evolve from being a utilitarian object, to a sound installation, to shaping a performance, a film or a book. I often work together with other artists to place and question my work in a different context. The objects are made of clay. I like to research the possibilities of just one material, the objects investigate how different ceramic shapes create sound.
"I love doing things that connect me with my body, my hands and my inner being. Connection runs like a thread through everything I do. My work, what I consume, the way I relate to others and to my own body."
How would you describe your lifestyle?
I live a calm, conscious life. I started creating sound objects ten years ago, and about a year ago, my body gave me the signal that I had given too much. I took a distance from my work and atelier and took the time to rest. It wasn’t really a choice, I had to. Since then, I’m far more aware of my own needs. I’m more conscious about rest, and I don’t rush into everything like I used to. I take the time to rest, to exercise, to explore manual crafts. I practice yoga, go swimming and recently I got into bouldering. Every Tuesday, I spend the day in a sewing class, not necessarily because it’s productive or related to anything I’m pursuing professionally, but just because it brings me joy. Also with friends, we sometimes get together to practice crafts. I love doing things that connect me with my body, my hands and my inner being. Connection runs like a thread through everything I do. My work, what I consume, the way I relate to others and to my own body.
"Following the seasons feels very natural to me, our body and rhythm works different in winter than it does in warmer months. I feel that effect on my skin too."
How would you describe your skin?
My skin isn’t necessarily troubled. It mostly feels very dry, that’s why I use a face oil every morning and evening. I can see my skin being different throughout the seasons, in winter it feels extra dry. Following the seasons feels very natural to me, our body and rhythm works different in winter than it does in warmer months. I feel that effect on my skin too.
"I know I’m using a product that is made by an actual person, and not an anonymous corporation."
What do you find in Maiwe, and do you have a favourite product?
As I mentioned before, an important aspect of my lifestyle evolves around connection. It’s even the foundation of my work. And that’s what drew me to Maiwe. I felt like I could connect to the product. The research behind the product, the connection to the land, the people and the story behind the brand. I met you, which is also important for me. I know I’m using a product that is made by an actual person, and not an anonymous corporation. These things are very important to me. I love the Rosehip Oil Serum. The search for the right product has taken a long time, but I’ve really found it now. I love how my skin reacts to it and the glow it gives me in the morning.
The Rosehip Oil Serum
The search for the right product has taken a long time, but I’ve really found it now.
I love how my skin reacts to it and the glow it gives me in the morning.
