One year on: Seeking Apricity at Field System

<p><strong>You’re back in the spotlight with your solo show ‘Seeking Apricity’ at Field System. A year on from graduating, what does this exhibition represent for you personally and professionally?</strong></p> <p><em>This exhibition feels more aligned to my personal creative voice. This series of works was curated over the course of a year. It's been sort of like a quiet conversation with myself, listening and trusting my instincts. Through this work, I’ve been seeking how to slow down and embrace the changing seasons, to find joy in the small moments, tuning into daily rhythms. It’s been about noticing patterns, both in nature and within myself.</em></p>

<p><strong>Apricity means ‘the warmth of the sun in winter’. How does that idea come through in the pieces you’ve created for the show?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>I resonate with this word deeply. I’ve always loved the sun and the beauty it casts across the world. Winter, on the other hand, has always felt challenging for me, less light, heavier moods, slightly harder to navigate. I think everyone who lives in England can relate! The title came out of my personal need to ‘survive’ winter months, but also learning to embrace them. Finding peace in the season, finding my own sun, which can feel dimmed during winter. Seeking Apricity reflects those quiet, often-overlooked moments of beauty and calm. It’s less commercial than my old works, definitely more personal. A small act of resistance against rushing, and a reminder to embrace slow and tiny joys.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can you tell us about the materials and techniques you’ve used in this new body of work? What are you experimenting with, and what continues to anchor your practice?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>My work still has a heavy digital aspect. I love layering photography and illustration to create mixed media collages. But this show allowed me to explore more tactile processes too, so I continued to dabble in ceramics. I’ve always loved the process of making with clay, it just feels good in my hands. I think this work is similar to a project I did while in 2nd year actually, called ‘Casual Magic’, which was about finding small moments of bliss in mundane activities.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>What was the preparation process like for this exhibition? Did anything surprise you about curating a solo show in a professional gallery setting?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Managing my time and outcomes was definitely a challenge. A lot of the work is quite intuitive so it has been hard to plan and prep. I’ve really appreciated having Mark and Milly guide me through the curation and the final display side of the show, they've been incredibly helpful and lovely.</em><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>Zara’s recent projects build on the values she developed as a student at Arts University Plymouth: wellbeing, social connection, sustainability and the importance of accessible creativity. Her award-winning zine on ethical foraging earned a Creative Conscience Award and was distributed to every incoming student at the university. She also co-created <em>MishMash</em>, a self-published magazine capturing the creative energy of her peers, which continues to live on through new student collaborations.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>It’s been a busy year. Since winning at D&amp;AD New Blood and Creative Conscience, how has your practice evolved?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, if I’m honest. The transition from university to the commercial world has been full of learning curves. There’s been a lot of reflecting, and figuring out what kind of illustrator I want to be. I think I’ve channeled a more personal approach to making art this past year, and trying to create work that feels honest and fulfilling.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>You’ve been working on branding and packaging commissions alongside your own projects. How do you balance creative authenticity with the needs of clients?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>I think clients work with you because they like your work so there isn’t too much bending or changing of my style. But clients are the ones who want the artwork so I’m always going to keep going until I create something we are both happy with. I think the best client relationships happen when they’re drawn to your style and trust your voice. I always want both of us to feel proud of the outcome, because in my eyes it's a collaboration. It's a balance of staying aligned to your work but also communicating their wants and needs. I love client work for that reason, I enjoy bringing their vision to life and keep creating until we are both happy with the end results.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>One of your earlier zines, </strong><strong><em>MishMash</em></strong><strong>, was recently distributed to all incoming Arts University Plymouth students. What does it mean to you to have that legacy passed on to new creatives?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>It’s honestly amazing! That’s exactly what Mishmash was made for. It’s about showcasing the work, thoughts, and processes of the creative community in Plymouth and Arts University Plymouth. Seeing it live on and reach new students is a dream. I know myself and Tom are proud of what we created. I'll hopefully start working on Issue 2 this year, although it's speculative at the moment. Just there’s such a burst of talent in the city, lots of people I want to interview and involve!</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>You’ve also been involved in designing new Students’ Union merchandise. What’s it been like stepping into that kind of collaborative, community-facing role?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>That was such a lovely project. When I first started at Arts University Plymouth, I remember thinking how cool it would be to design something for the SU, and then a few years later, it became reality. Working with Harriet and Beth was a great experience, both so lovely and they set a clear brief, and I loved making something that reflected both their ideas and my own style.</em><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Looking back, how did your time at Arts University Plymouth help shape your voice as a visual storyteller?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>I can’t say enough about the tutors and all of the staff actually at the university. They really helped shape how I think about my work and encouraged me to keep asking questions and digging deeper. Some lectures I remember shifted my perspective on what it means to be a creative person. There is a lot of learning time packed into those three years, I think my creative voice evolved a lot since day one and continues to change. It's important to remain fluid as a visual communicator, we’re constantly changing and so is the world, so keep growing and being open.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>You’ve always linked your work to themes of wellbeing, sustainability and social connection. How do those values continue to guide your decisions as an illustrator and maker?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Those themes resonate with me personally, so they naturally guide my choices. I personally think it’s important that your creative work aligns with your values, they’re the pillars of who you are. Whether I’m working on something playful or serious, I want it to have a positive impact where possible.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>For this year’s graduates or new starters just finding their footing, what’s something you know now that you wish you’d known then?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Make room for reflection, I feel like the whole university experience can whizz by, and it’s easy to get swept up in the rush. By making time to reflect you know you're working towards something that you want. You’re building something that should feel like you, don’t lose sight of that.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Finally, what’s next on the horizon? Are there any new materials, ideas or dream projects you’re itching to explore?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>I still love packaging and playful illustration, but I’d really love to work with organisations that are making a positive difference. I’m particularly interested in working with charities. I think illustration can be such a powerful tool for connection and storytelling. A big dream would be to collaborate with Greenpeace or an ethical chocolate company. Anything that combines creativity with sustainability and spreading joy.</em><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Illustration</a> at Arts University Plymouth supports students to develop their personal visual language while gaining the professional skills to thrive in a competitive industry. From children’s publishing to indie zines, editorial illustration to packaging and animation, students explore a wide range of techniques and contexts across traditional and digital media.</p> <p dir="ltr">With access to award-winning facilities, open access workshops, and expert tuition from practising illustrators, students are encouraged to be curious, ethically aware, and creatively ambitious. Industry experience, live briefs and collaborative projects are embedded throughout the degree, preparing graduates to make their mark in the world of illustration.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Apply now or explore more at</strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> <strong>aup.ac.uk</strong></a><br /></p>