Marianne Nems, raised and educated in France, brings a strong background in art to her work. She greatly demonstrated talent and creativity at a very early age. Thereafter, she attended L’Academie Charpentier de Paris and L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris where she studied interior architecture & Fine Art / Art History. Marianne began working for Parisian architectural firms in 1993. In 1997, she moved to the USA working for New York and Floridian interior design firms. This work includes managing the portfolio of  projects includes health care, high-end commercial properties for large well-known companies as well as luxury homes for celebrities and private individuals. In 2003, Nems founded her own firm in New York City. For more than 2 decades she has been transforming interiors into unique and inviting environments. Her furniture and product designs have received many recognition in the industry.

Marianne, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started my career in my twenties by designing interiors as an interior architect. Over the years, many of my furniture/decorative designs were custom made for projects and are featured in homes or other establishments. Until two years ago, I have decided to create an object, a design that could look good, possess functionality, and also be labeled as an art piece — this is when BAZ, the candle sculpture was born. I designed BAZ to have a center structural assembly with two side-panels made out of perforated metal. Between the two panels lies a candle that projects the perforation’s design onto the surrounding walls and ceiling because of the reflective material I have selected. It’s pretty amazing!! No art piece is ever finished, so I’ve decided to continuously return to BAZ’s design and develop its aesthetic capacity. By tweaking the design slightly over time, I came up with the concept of perforating the side-panels in order to bring life into the perforations I also added Swarovski crystal for more shimmer with the flickering candle light. I have always looked for ways to meld beauty and innovation. I’m always creating new designs, learning and using new methods and techniques. I have earned the respect from many fellow architects and artists around the globe and have also worked for clients in Dubai, Beirut, Paris, Cannes, NY, Sarasota, Miami, and more. 

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art has always followed along with my tendency for experimentation. In the past I mainly painted with oil on canvas, but now I find it to be a little flat and boring. I’m sure some painters will argue with me forever on that one; but, over time, I’ve grown more and more engrossed with metal and mixing materials together to form an object. I think that using more raw materials to form a piece has more versatility than mixing colors on a background, although painting will always be dear to my heart.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
Visual art, to me, is the most powerful form of expression. It has the most direct impact on people nowadays, often defying cultural barriers. For instance Banksy, one of the world’s most recognized artists, sends their message to the world using their art. My goal is to do the same with my perforated art sculptures. Though in my case, the message is revealed through the warm shadows projected out of the sculpture’s throughout its perforations with the infinity mirroring effect and of the reflective material I use, creating layers and dancing shadows because of the flickering light.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am not presently affiliated to any art gallery, but I do often participate in art fairs and large Exhibitions venues (I announce the date much in advance on my social media pages). My next one is in Feb 3rd to 6th in NYC at the NY NOW international Show in the “Distinctive Living Collection” section. The next will be at the “CLIO art Fair” on March 7th to 10th. I also take appointments in my studio.  It’s in South Beach, Florida, so if you are from nearby don’t hesitate to reach out! If you’d like to check out my work online, I have an instagram (@mariannenemsstudio) and a Facebook page for my sculptures. I also use these platforms to announce when I will be participating in events.