The Surf Coast’s only aerial artist

Minerva Lamorgese White is the Italian-born multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator and aerialist behind Mivart Creations who found her way to the Surf Coast five years ago.

Now she has earned her place as the Surf Coast’s only aerial muralist.

White’s murals can be found at cafes and restaurants across the Surf Coast, from her whimsical black cockatoo mural on the wall at Onda in Aireys Inlet, to wild mushrooms at High Vibes in Torquay, to a colourful swimming pool fence in Anglesea and more.

White’s art is unique – her work is a fusion of aerial silk dance and painting, where she paints in the air while she performs.

White has only very recently developed this style of painting, drawn from a lifetime of artistic and aerial practice which began in Italy many years ago.

“I’ve always been passionate about art,” she said.

“Since I was a child, I always wanted to be an artist and do illustration, and I always wanted to share my art with the world.

“I felt as though I’d been given a gift and I need to use it for others to enjoy and have that sharing the capability of the vision that I have and the art that I see.”

Growing up in Italy, White brings a unique style to the local arts scene.

“I’m a foreigner here but the community makes me feel at home,” she said.

“I was born in Italy, I’m Italian originally, from the bottom of Tuscany, the north of Rome on the west coast.

“This European and Italian style is nothing like other people have seen; the concept is very whimsical.

“Having a unique style means there isn’t a competition, it’s more about ‘Let’s get together and build the Surf Coast arts scene’.”

Minerva studied in Italy, completing her bachelor’s degree in children’s Illustration, followed by a year of comics and a year of interior design.

“And then I always had the passion for the circus and the theatre,” she said.

While practising her art, White worked for theatre companies and the circus.

“I’ve developed that other side of me,” she said.

“I lived in Ireland, and I was doing circus there, at the Irish Aerial Dance Festival. It’s sort of an event where aerialists from all over the world go there to study everything about aerials, and all the equipment possible.

“There I met some Australians, beautiful aerialists, and they knew how much I loved ocean and art and silks, and they said ‘Why don’t you go to Melbourne, why don’t you go to NICA [National Institute of Circus Arts] in Melbourne?

“I have always been passionate about Australia and felt an inner call to visit this country. So that’s what I did.”

Living in the city, she very quickly began craving the ocean and felt drawn to the Surf Coast.

“The city was never really the place to stay,” she said.

“Plus, I come from a little town by the lakeside, and I just love the coast, so I felt really bonded straight away from when I moved down here.”

It was her pursuit of these creative and ocean-centric endeavours that eventually brought White to her Surf Coast community.

“It was my love for the ocean, surfing and sailing, my love for art, and my desire to live in a smaller community that wasn’t the big city that brought me here. I just felt like I was meant to be here.”

 

Following the birth of her daughter, White launched her business Mivart Creations.

She illustrates and creates sculptures, children’s hanging mobiles, lamps, and home decor using old pàpier-màchè techniques, making art more tangible and interesting for children’s development and creativity.

“Whimsical is the most common comment I get, even in my children’s illustration it often speaks to the inner child of adults, and not just art for children. It’s often enjoyed by adults, and to remind adults of when they were children,” she said.

White’s art is not limited to her own creative vision, but she also works on commission, working closely with clients to align with the style of the location, logo, colours, and vibe.

“I’m very passionate about murals, but I have not I have not lost my love for illustrations and children’s books. I am a multidisciplinary artist.”

She is an active member of the local Surf Coast community, using her creativity to create unique artwork that she shares with the community.

“Since being here my business has just taken off, and the community love what I’m bringing to them.

This Surf Coast creative community, White said, was the perfect place to develop her unique style.

“The community has a massive impact in my art journey.

“The artistic community here is beautiful, and the art, we are known for our surfing, but this place has so much art.

“And the other artists who have helped me with my art. We embrace and lift each other up for everyone to thrive, because we’re all so very different.

“Coming here, the community was very positive, the new art from that I’m bringing when I do the markets, I have my textile and illustration prints and they love the style and the quality that I bring so they support it by buying my products.”

Looking to the future, White sees her art moving to new heights.

“My big dream would be to bring to life this aerial painting,” she said.

“At the moment and in the future, I see my artwork taking me travelling me more with aerial silk walls and brining illustrations to life in every way it’s possible.”

To find out more about White’s art, head to mivart.com.au or follow White’s Instagram at @mivart_creative