Mariska Nell

Mariska Nell is an artist, designer, environmentalist and host of the Mama Earth Talk podcast. The world is her home and sustainability her passion. As a painter and sculptor, her mediums include acrylic on canvas and recycled materials in both her canvases and sculptural work. Having started experimenting with trash in her artwork, she became curious about this new medium and began researching how the environment is impacted by waste, and what solutions exist. She now uses her creativity to represent her passion for the environment, by shining a light on our problems with waste and the impacts thereof. In 2018 Nell took her art to the streets, wearing trash for 30 days and becoming a visual representation of what it would look like if there was no “throwing away” and we all had to carry the weight of our waste rather than passing that burden on to the environment.

Personal Pronouns

she/her

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

I host the Mama Earth Talk podcast, create environmental art, and run a sustainability consultancy that helps organizations make a real, lasting impact. I also co-founded Tails and Tones, a podcast and eco-conscious pet brand. The experience has been incredibly fulfilling — I get to combine creativity, purpose, and impact every day, and work with amazing people who care about making a difference.

How did you get your job?

I created both organisations.

What inspires you/your work?

Nature

How do you network yourself and your art?

I often do collaborations with bigger organisations, meet-ups and social media

Where did you earn your undergraduate degree, and what was it in?

Design School of Southern Africa, BA in Interior Design

How did you hear about MCAD?

Online ad

Why did you choose to earn an MA at MCAD?

It looked like it was not just theory, but that there was a lot more practical aspects and that it could really add value to my existing skills.

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?

How to look at problems from a systems thinking approach, and that you can not change one thing, without it having an effect on other aspects.

Where were you located when you completed the program?

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

What was the online education like?

I liked it, as when I started the program I was based in Australia.

How has the MA impacted your career/your life?

So far not much, but I do believe after I graduate, it will give me more credit for the work I am doing.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life? What advice do you have for others to do the same?

It is not about perfection, but rather progress. I try to do what is best in the options that I have. We do live a zero waste lifestyle and I have implemented many systems in our house and building to reduce waste and to tread lighter on resources.

What would you tell students considering pursuing an MA degree in Sustainable Design?

I would say go for it. It is a fun program and you will walk away knowing that you have learned something that can help you make more of an impact.