How I Found My Voice by Mixing Sugar, Design, and Culture| Mia Nel

Mia Nel is a South African artist now living in Hong Kong, and her art journey is anything but ordinary. In this interview, she shares how she transitioned from a successful career in graphic design to becoming an artist who uses sugar as her primary medium. Mia talks about how moving to Hong Kong sparked her interest in Chinese art and culture, which led her to experiment with sugar painting during the pandemic. She explains how she combines traditional Chinese techniques with her twist, turning sugar into durable sculptures that challenge what art can be. She also gives us a glimpse into her creative process, explaining how she carefully builds each piece from sugar and ink.

Mia is a South African-born, mixed-media artist based in Hong Kong. She has redefined her artistic practice by exploring the unexpected medium of sugar. She earned her graphic design and illustration degree before starting a multi-decade design career, mainly in London and Hong Kong. Since relocating to Hong Kong over a decade ago, her artistic journey has been profoundly shaped by exploring identity, culture, and the natural world using sugar as the primary medium. Initially focused on ink painting and brush calligraphy, she found inspiration in the ancient art of Chinese sugar painting. Born out of a pandemic experiment, her recent work seamlessly blends her ink and brush techniques with her unique technique of preserved sugar sculptures.

Mia reinterprets this ancient Chinese art form to invite viewers to contemplate beauty’s impermanence, preservation’s importance, and the interconnectedness of human culture and the natural world. Mia’s artistic journey has been marked by international acclaim, with exhibitions in prestigious galleries, high-end art fairs, and corporate settings across Asia. Her work has been recognized globally, as evidenced by her selection for the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours – 212th Exhibition in London Mall Galleries and her inclusion in the upcoming “100 Emerging Women Artists of 2024” book as well as “Create! Magazine milestone 50th edition”.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m a South African artist and a third-generation one! I went to university and studied graphic design and illustration, and then spent about 20 years working in that field in London and then Hong Kong. After living in the UK for 11 years, I relocated to Hong Kong over a decade ago because… I’m an enormous scuba diving enthusiast and wanted to be closer to all those fantastic tropical dive spots!

I employ sugar as my primary medium, drawing inspiration from both cultures. Through my art, I invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of identity and cultural heritage.

Mia Nel

2. What inspired you to become an artist?

I’ve always been an artist —I just took a 20-year detour as a designer! Growing up surrounded by my artistic grandmother and mother, with paints always within reach and them always creating, it felt completely natural. It wasn’t a conscious choice but more of a deep-seated need, like breathing. But my move to Asia sparked things. I was captivated by the richness of Chinese culture and how different it was from my upbringing in South Africa. Exploring cultural identity has become the driving force behind my work. Immersing myself in the Chinese environment led me to discover ink painting and brush calligraphy. Then, during the pandemic, I stumbled upon the art of Chinese sugar painting and began experimenting with sugar as a medium. So, my current work started as a bit of a pandemic experiment.

3. What is your creative process like from start to finish?

My creative process is shaped by my graphic design background and love for patterns and shapes. It’s a very planned and structured approach. I start by developing a concept digitally, translating it into a 3D sculpture. Meticulous planning is key – I need to envision the entire piece and carefully consider how each element will come together to realize my initial idea. I print “blueprints,” prepare silicone boards, and mix various consistent sugar pastes. Using piping bags like icing, I sculpt each element with multiple layers, dehydrating each layer in a machine for over 24 hours until it’s hardened like plaster. I repeat this process until the sculpture is complete.

Next, the sculpture is primed and dehydrated again. Painting on sugar is delicate; it can melt or break, and I always make extra elements because of breakages. I usually start with a dry brush technique, gradually layering color with ink, sometimes diluted with vodka, as the alcohol evaporates faster than water, helping to keep the sugar stable. After a UV varnish and final dehydration, the resin coating begins. I apply about ten coats for a nice domed effect and to ensure the sculpture has a completely sealed, waterproof finish. By now, the pieces are pretty robust, and I can use a power tool to tidy and sand the edges, finishing details with an etching pen and diamond files. With all the elements sanded, I assemble the “puzzle” on board, carefully planning the height and placement of each piece. Finally, the finished artwork goes to the framer—and I grab my wrist guard!

4. Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?

My inspiration stems from my immediate surroundings and personal experiences. I live in a jungle on the outskirts of Hong Kong, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful beaches, which reminds me so much of my childhood in South Africa. My work often reflects this blend of influences, interwoven with a fusion of African and Asian cultural elements. I’m also drawn to the unexpected artistry in everyday objects; I find inspiration in the details. Through intricate patterns, I try to create a visual dialogue reflecting my experience as a cultural hybrid, hopefully fostering a deeper cross-cultural understanding.

By blending the delicate beauty of sugar with the expressive power of ink, I create a visual language that bridges the gap between East and West.

Mia Nel

5. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?

My black sugar bulldog ‘Ben’– my ‘animal series’ was born from a profound personal loss. The sudden passing of my beloved bulldog, Ben, led me to turn to art as a form of healing. The bulldog sculpture is a tribute to all who lost a pet. The fragility of porcelain mirrors the fleeting, fragile nature of our pets’ lives, while sugar, a natural preservative, symbolizes the enduring power of memory. By incorporating African and Chinese patterns, I honor the diverse influences that enriched my life, just as Ben enriched mine.

Mia Nel’s journey as an artist is about pushing the limits of creativity and using art to connect with her roots. She challenges how we think about what art can be by turning sugar into sculptures. Her work isn’t just about technique; it’s about preserving memories and sharing emotions through unique materials. Mia’s art reminds us that creativity can heal, preserve, and unite people, no matter where we’re from. To learn more about Mia, visit the links below.