Interview by Mia Kingsley, all photos by Maisie Cousins
I have been with Cooler for 6 months now. Yay! During my internship Cooler has given me the opportunities and confidence to do things I had never done before (thanks!). I have now put it upon myself to interview young and creative people on a weekly basis. Very exciting, and what’s even more exciting is my first subject…
Maisie Cousins, a Londoner now studying in Brighton, and artist of many medias. From portraits of beautiful friends, collages of swirling colour, sensual self-portraits and still lifes of squashed food and glitter, looking at the work of Miss Cousins is like opening a secret box in the shape of a girl’s heart. Once you know her work you will recognise a piece at first glance. That’s pretty impressive for a 21 year old, to have your own artistic stamp is very rare for the young. Meet Maisie Cousins…
As long as I remember, it was the only thing I really enjoyed in school. I remember my sister and I would make really great Barbie set ups like, Barbie getting married, Barbie and Shelly in the speedboat, Ken murdering his ex, etc. I used to photograph them and turn them into stories, I guess the interest in taking pictures started there.
It took me a long time to look at my work from a different perspective, I used to just make stuff constantly and not think about it. It was only until I saw my Tubular Belles Vice editorial in print that I could look at it differently, then I was proud of how satisfying it was.
Definitely my family, they have always been really relaxed and supportive. They understand why I make such a mess and I value their opinions a lot.
Absolutely, I see it as an extension of myself.
I’m not interested in using black and white, occasionally I have in the past but I always think it looks a bit lazy.
I’m getting really into film and making music videos!
I like the theme of indulgence. I once read a quote by Lydia Lunch, who said, “I think it’s important to encourage gluttony in all its formats” and it’s stuck in my head ever since.
Ummm this is hard. I suppose I just want everyone to feel really cool, sexy and beautiful when I take their photo. That’s a good enough cause for now.
I’d love to take all my friends to the hanging gardens of Babylon and set up a disco and do a film there.
A music video I’m making for Mokadem. It’s going to be out some point in September!
Well I think we can expect great things from Maisie, I myself am definitely looking forward to a film set in a disco at the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! But until then if you want to check out any more of Maisie’s work here are a few links 🙂
Thanks Maisie! x
Next week I will be meeting ‘Massive Crush’ a hand painted clothing brand by the amazing Anna Ryon, keep your eyes peeled!
