Inspired by a range of cultural sources, Marina’s work explores her relationship with and reverence for the world of nature. She believes that human beings need a strong relationship with the natural world in order to live a balanced life. We were once deeply connected – through our hearts – to forests, rivers, mountains, plants, animals and each other and modern way of life is eroding this connection.

As in animism (the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena and the universe itself possess souls), she aims to create pieces filled with breath, spirit and life. She uses the Japanese word kami (a divine being or spirit in Shinto religion) to describe some of her work. She hopes that her pieces will, at times, inspire the viewer to rekindle the relationship between their own inner nature and the natural world.

Her work is mostly figurative. She often begins with a meditative approach when starting a piece, working intuitively at times and also from sketches and gathered research. Paper porcelain is her preferred medium, but she also uses other clay bodies. Each piece is fired multiple times.

Marina grew up in France, Gabon in Africa and England and now lives in Manchester. In 1992 I completed my Fine Art Degree, majoring in Sculpture at Falmouth School of Art and Design, before studying Ceramics for two years.