'I fell in love with the art making process at university': Meet VCA graduate Amina Briggs
Amina Briggs is a Boonwurrung Erub artist and recent graduate of the Master of Contemporary Art at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Since graduating in 2023, Amina has made considerable waves with her designs featuring on city trams, her paintings adorning Melbourne’s cityscape, and her digital art projects bridging tradition and innovation. We talked with Amina about her study experience, future aspirations, and insights for aspiring artists. Here's what she shared:
I never intended to pursue a career as an artist. But I knew art was something I was good at, and knew I wanted to go to university. So, I ended up pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts as an undergraduate. I fell in love with the art making process at university and was inspired by the way others pursued their craft.
I found out about the VCA’s Master of Contemporary Art through the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development. The lovely people at Wilin were extremely helpful and guided me through the whole process and continued to help me during my course as well.
I was attracted to study at the VCA because of its reputation. I heard that it had great resources for students, especially with its spacious studios, and I was not disappointed when I got into the course.
A typical day in the Master of Contemporary Art means going to campus with every intention of working in the studio but spending the whole day chatting with everyone instead. Every time you step onto campus you are always greeted with a hello or a hug, can end up grabbing coffee with a classmate, or just having a laugh with your teachers. A day on campus is always eventful.
My time at the VCA has shaped me as an artist. I learned so much from my teachers and peers. Their insights helped me refine my ability to critique art across various mediums, engage in meaningful discussions, and incorporate feedback to improve my art. I’m grateful for my time there.
My creative practice stems from my cultural identity and my own experiences with it. Every artwork I make comes from my worldview as a First Nations woman – it reflects my perspectives and experiences in Australia.
My friends and family also deeply inspire my creative practice. They’re all very creative and ambitious with their practice and it pushes me to strive to be on their level. When you have people around you constantly talking about the major projects they’re working on, you can’t help but be inspired and want to do the same.
The amount of work that goes into pursuing being an artist can be challenging. You’re often having to juggle a couple projects at the same time while also making time for friends and family, but I’ve learned how important it is to set boundaries and be realistic on what I can and can’t handle at any one time.
My goal for the next few years is to have my artworks shown in the NGV. I’d also like to show at prominent galleries overseas. I’ve got my sights set on the Tate Modern.
My advice for students wanting to pursue a career as an artist is this: if you want to pursue this as a career, then you're going to have to really want it. Ninety-nine percent of the time, you are going to face rejection after rejection. It sucks, and it’s going to hurt, but you will get used to it and learn how to get back up. There’s no guarantee that you’ll have a long-term career in this industry, but if a part of you has a fiery passion for your craft, then I know something will come out of it.