Originally from Copenhagen, I have been residing in London and Edinburgh since 2001. Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 2012, I have undertaken a number of public and private site-specific commissions. Past clients include Napier University, Royal Observatory Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh. Most recently, I was commissioned by Aberdeen City Council to create a memorial to the controversial crematorium ashes scandal, which saw the ashes of more than 200 infants lost.
I have a background in dancing and an interest in choreography and anatomy. Focusing primarily on large-scale site-specific commissions, my work is concerned with the body in space and time; the dichotomy between the permanent and transient. My work is based on a great amount of topical research and recent work has sought to combine an interest in science and exploring how the world works with a desire to express the emotional state of being.
As well as undertaking individual projects, I also work on collaborative projects with a variety of other artists. Recent collaborations include Threshold, a collaboration with artist Sarah Dale for Edinburgh University and Royal Observatory and Musselburgh Archer, a collaboration with artist Svetlana Kondakova for East Lothian Council, installed in Musselburgh.
I was awarded a graduate studio at the prestigious Edinburgh Sculpture Workshops (ESW) in 2012, where I have conducted a number of workshops with pupils from local primary schools. I run the group Edinburgh Artists with Kids, providing peer support and organising workshops and events based around involving children in the creation of art.
Education profile
2008 - 2012 Edinburgh College of Art, BA Honours in Sculpture
2007 - 2008 South Tyneside College, BTEC Diploma in Art
2003 - 2005 University of East London, BA Honours in Visual Theories
2005 (January – June) – Exchange at Dar es Salaam University, Tanzania
2000 - 2002 Frie Ungdomsuddannelse (Stepz Copenhagen & Pineapple Dance Studios, London) Diploma in Contemporary Dancing
Site Specific Works and Public Artworks
2018 (May) Sculpture Threshold at Edinburgh Royal Observatory, commissioned by University of Edinburgh for their new Higgs Centre for innovation. The sculpture is in the form of an optical illusion.
2017 (December – present) Commissioned by Aberdeen City Council to create a memorial to past practices at Hazlehead crematorium
2017 (June - October) Exhibiting site-specific, figurative piece Defection at Scottish Sculpture Park’s Biannual Summer Exhibition. I have been invited to return and will be showing again in 2019.
2015 (November - present) Commissioned by East Lothian Council to create and install life-size bronze sculpture and a sculpture trail in the form of steel arrows and accompanying plaques (sculpture installed June 2018 – arrows still awaiting approval).
2015 (January) Public Artwork entitled Imprint for Edinburgh Napier University’s Fountainbridge halls of residence.
2014 (August) Temporary site specific artwork Placeyersaurus at Cockenzie House. The artwork is in the shape of a life-size bronze Plesiosaurus immersed into the duck pond on the grounds.
2014 (January) Public Artwork entitled Tree of Knowledge for Edinburgh Napier University’s Fountainbridge halls of residence.
Research, Workshops and Community Projects
2015 (June) Organised and ran event Child’s Play, which included an exhibition on the theme of being an Artist with Kids as well as children’s workshops, run in collaboration with artist Steve Dale.
2015 (March - April) Conducted workshops with Victoria Primary School children, learning about sustainability and discussing the potential future of their area. The project was a collaboration with artist Hans Clausen.
2013 (February – present) Exploring mythologies and (mis)conceptions surrounding our relationship with animals. The project involved drawing workshops with pupils from Victoria and Trinity Primary Schools conducted at ESW.
2009 (July – September) Working with the local community in Uru, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania on a project examining cultural understandings of art and site specificity, working with only locally available materials. The project resulted in the construction of the sculpture Reflections and a written artwork.
2005 Created fundraising film (narrated by Steve Cram) for charity Hoja during 5-day research and filming trip to rural Songea region of Tanzania
Selected Exhibitions
SSA/VAS Open
Royal Scottish Academy The Mound, Edinburgh
29th January - 8th March 2018 Scottish Sculpture Park Biannual Exhibition
Caol Ruadh, Colintraive
2nd June - 10th September 2017
Art Rooms
Cockenzie House, Cockenzie
8th August - 28th September 2014
New Works for the City
State Museum of Urban Sculpture, St Petersburg
1st - 31st July 2013
SLICE
The Whisky Bond, Glasgow
13th, 16th, 17th July 2013
13 Danes
Danish Cultural Institute, Edinburgh
8th June - 31st July 2012
Hoy3
Pier Arts Centre, Orkney
9th-13th February 2010
Contact
Maja Quille
Studio 16
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 Hawthornvale
Edinburgh EH6 4JT
majaquille@gmail.com