from Learning with Miriam

from University of Brighton Blog

MIRIAM ELIA

She was the second lecturer during the vertical project. She has done BA in Brighton University and then MA in RCA. However, after graduation, she decided to be a comedian. I think this is a really interesting career. Maybe because of the experience of being a comedian, I am pretty sure she looked a lot more confident and comfortable when she was talking in front of the students than other lecturers I have met in this university.

Her works also have got lots of humours. While she was presenting those “We do …” book series, I can’t help laughing. Since I am really into children’s books, which also can be enjoyed by adults, I think those books are just the thing I always wanted to make.

Also, the controversial series of work with Sylvanian families were really intriguing. This series show Sylvanian family figures in everyday scenes, like cooking at home, having a class at school, having a picnic and so on. At the same scenes, we can find other Sylvanian family figures in ISIS outfits. It was interesting to hear that this series had been in the exhibition and then has been taken down because it has been regarded that it might stimuli a terrorist. I used to play with Sylvanian families when I was young, so it was almost felt strange, weird. I couldn’t even imagine those lovely figures can be something threatening.