Meet the young inspiring Macclesfield artist proving autism is no barrier to a career in art
By Alex Greensmith
23rd Sep 2024 | Local News
While we have not announced it, Macclesfield Nub News' Editor made a pledge at the start of the year to cover more local artists.
This was because 2024 marks 20 years since Macclesfield was called by The Times newspaper as the 'most uncultured' area in Britain.
Macclesfield Nub News has always covered our town's arts community in great detail, but this year, has seen articles on an internationally-renowned comic artist, and another who exhibited over 1000 landscape pieces in a local art gallery.
And today's story is as equally - if not more - inspirational than the aforementioned two.
Maryam Mirali (21) is a local artist who has honed her craft in Macclesfield.
Disabilities have been no barrier for the young artist, in producing and proliferating her work.
Her subjects ranges from animals to food; all things that everyone knows, so her artwork has mass appeal, as does Maryam's comforting, cartoony style.
Her portfolio ranges from coasters themed around the star signs in a cosy, conversational style, to designs based on vintage Macclesfield silk patterns.
Maryam's work is based on both the world around her, and from inside.
And it was inside Macclesfield coffee shop Coffee#1 where Macclesfield Nub News met Maryam, and her lovely sister and lovely mother, for a a chat about all things Maryam Mirali.
"I've drawn characters since I was a teenager," said Maryam.
"I like doing both digital and physical painting."
Maryam has been drawing for as long as she can remember.
"Of all pieces, my favourite is 'Face Map Pattern', which is a striking tribal-esque pattern on acrylic canvas," she said.
"I like the range of colours, of darks and lights."
Maryam's work includes her take on prints of vintage silk from The Silk Museum, and a tote bag which reimagines a fried egg as different shapes.
Proud mum Tehmeena Khan said: "My favourite piece of her's looks like a cityscape," revealed Tehmeena.
"We hang it in our kitchen."
This urban landscape-like image can be viewed below.
Maryam's artwork has allowed her to get closer to her mum Tehmeena, and vice versa.
"To me, her art is like a window in what is going on in Maryam's mind," revealed Tehmeena.
"Some of the colour combinations she uses are incredible.
"I love the way she writes too."
"My mum has been awesome," added Maryam.
"She gives me a voice and helps me out."
Three years ago, an 18-year-old Maryam went on a work experience placement at Pinc College in Macclesfield.
At the same time she attended Pinc College, Maryam met and began to collaborate with New Macclesfield School of Art founder Becca Smith.
"I've been tutoring and mentoring Maryam for three years," said Becca.
"And I am excited about starting a new project with her this autumn.
"I'm proud to have guided her in creating dynamic repeat patterns hand-printed onto silk for a show on pattern at the Silk Museum in June 2022, then on to her first solo show in the Green Room gallery in the Heritage Centre in October 2023.
"Her designs, drawings and patterns are from her colourful, brilliant and funny universe of Central-Asian textiles, contemporary animation, Islamic geometric decoration, classic pop-culture (like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and her own experiences of the everyday world as a person with autism.
"I love spotting someone walking around Macc with a Maryam bag or t-shirt."
"I'm looking forward to guiding Maryam on a new project, creating a body of digital and hand-printed work inspired by the local area. Look out for pop-up stalls and her online shop coming soon for your Maraym Mirali merch!"
"Becca is incredible. She gives me amazing advice, and helps me. She has incredible ideas," said Maryam.
"I have helped her out at workshop she did at St. Michael's."
Some of Maryam's t-shirts have sold as far as America.
But Maryam's artwork has gained lots of fans locally in the Macclesfield business community, with Joe Etherington of Tytherington Business Park firm Moneybox Wills and Trusts becoming a recent convert.
"I have Maryam's pisces coaster on my desk, I love it," said Joe.
"I found about Maryam's work as Maryam's mum Tehmeena came to have her will done here.
"They are such a lovely family. And I'm glad to support them."
Vikki Wray, of Bollington Printshop is also a fan.
"I love Maryam's work. It is simple, but really creative at the same time," said Vikki.
"It is nice to help out another creative.
"I reckon she could sell loads.
"Maybe we should offer a stall at the upcoming Bollington Bazaar."
"It is so nice to work with people who genuinely appreciate you for the work they do, and it really helps when the work is lovely too.
"We look forward to following Maryam's art career!"
Vikki's partner Matt added "Vikki has not stopped talking about Maryam's work since she came in!"
Tehmeena Khan, Maryam's grateful mum, was full of praise for Vikki and Matt.
"Bollington Printshop has helped us out an awful lot as well, which we are really grateful for," added Tehmeena,
"Vikki is so sweet, when I brought the designs in she said 'I absolutely love these, I have been going on and on about them'.
"We cannot recommend them enough. They have printed Maryam's coasters and tote bags as well. They have been really, really supportive.
"She has even offered Maryam the chance to help out in the printroom at Bollington Printshop.
"For someone to offer all that support, we are very touched."
Bryony Renshaw of the Silk Museum, has also worked closely with Maryam.
The Park Lane museum's collections officer was full of praise for the young artist.
"I first worked with Maryam in 2021 when she was involved in a project to photograph the museum's costume collection," said Bryony.
"Some of Maryam's photographs were standard museum photos which are now used to illustrate the objects' records on the museum's database, however Maryam's creativity really shone in the photos that she took for use on social media.
"These were accompanied by posts providing an insight into how Maryam viewed the costume.
"I next worked with Maryam as part of an exhibition on "Langley Printworks" in 2022.
"The objects from the collection were mainly dull brown printing blocks and black and white photographs so Maryam's colourful printed textiles, inspired by the collection, introduced a vital splash of colour.
"She subsequently helped improve the documentation of the collection through photographing some of the circa 1000 pattern books in the collection.
"Maryam's involvement with the museum collections has been wide ranging in scope, spanning basic improvement of the museum records to producing beautiful artworks inspired by the collections.
"She approaches everything with such imaginative creativity, that discussing the collections with her makes those of us who are less creative see the collections in a completely new light.
"I will never see the ancient Egyptian soul houses in quite the same way again!"
Maryam's work can also be found in the Silk Museum's gift shop, and could be the youngest exhibitor currently sold there.
Lisa Alberti is a senior leader and teacher at Pinc College, and another huge fan.
"Maryam studied art with us at Pinc College and became really engaged with The Silk Museum," she said.
"Her aspirations to continue her artwork, including a passion for digital, have ensured she has become part of the art and creative scene in Macclesfield.
"We look forward to seeing what is next for our budding artist alumni!"
In June, Maryam had her work displayed in Scoop and Scales, on Roe Street, where Maryam has also briefly worked.
Scoop and Scales director Matthew Todd said: "It has been a pleasure to provide the Green Room at Scoop and Scales to allow Maryam to exhibit her work."
"Maryam has a distinctive style and her creative use slogans and colours give her shows an eye catching look.
"The Green Room is available for hire for a variety of events, reasonable prices and a central location, for artists like Maryam, and much more, in Macclesfield.
"Please email [email protected] for more details."
Other local supporters of Maryam's artwork include Macclesfield artists Tom Heaton, and Ava Reid.
Maryam would love to get her work featured or sold in more places around Macclesfield.
You can also buy Maryam's work at lobstereatingakebab.art.
Even the URL for Maryam's online website, that unique choice of three words, is a testament to the kooky, creative and loveable aspects of her art.
When asked about the future, above all else, Maryam had this to say:
"I just want to make more designs," she concluded.
"Thank you for supporting me. It just inspires me to do more."
Should you wish to work with Maryam, please email [email protected].
You can follow her work on Instagram.
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