Industry Influencers: Anna-Wili Highfield, Artist

Why she is on our 2014 Influencers list: Anna-Wili Highfield has made a living out of doing what she does best: creating exquisite animal paper sculptures that have captured the eye of art lovers and collectors the world over. But she is leaving her mark on a new generation of artists by showing them a new path to success, that is less about showing in galleries, and more about using the global reach of the web.

I studied painting at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, Sydney. But when I left I started making sculptures. After having so much tuition in painting it was really liberating. I took what I had learnt in another direction. I have been honing this technique for a few years now and I love it – it’s right for me. I use 100 per cent cotton rags, which I paint then sew together to create the figure of an animal.

I realised I needed to make art that I would want to live with. If I wanted the piece to be beside me in my home, then other people would too. My end of year show at art school was these massive two metre-high paintings. I never even considered scale. Who has the space for those things?

Initially I was waiting for inspiration to strike: I had no focus and no structure. I would sit around drinking coffee and discussing art. Nick Cave goes to an office every day where he has a piano, and he works nine to five, and I think that’s what you need to do as an artist. You need discipline. I’ve had two kids during this time – Matilda, who is seven, and Claude, who is two, and they have really helped to make me more self-disciplined.

My first break was through my friend Bianca Spender. She commissioned a piece for her store in Paddington. She put it in her shop front window, and it generated work organically. Since then I have accepted commissions from Hermès, for hotels and, of course, private collectors.

Artists traditionally show in a gallery and get word out that way. I used my website. The amazing thing for artists now is that word just travels all over the world. There’s this global audience that’s certainly big enough to sustain my small practice, which consists of me and an admin assistant.

From my little website I started getting interview requests from the most bizarre places: Saint Petersburg, Mexico, Istanbul, Korea. It’s hysterical because I have been featured in all these online and print magazines leading this glamorous life, where as the reality is I go from my home to my studio, then to the park with the kids.

I love the collaboration process. My waiting list is generally a year or more at the moment, and the requests are varied.

I recently accepted a commission from a man in Mexico wanting a present for his politician father. I suggested a jaguar and we agreed it was a very powerful symbol.

I care deeply about the treatment of animals. I have worked with the World Wildlife Fund and am looking to do more work with Voiceless regarding the ethical treatment of animals in primary produce. I’m glad I can give back.

Initially, I didn’t make my pieces very expensive. I wanted to grow interest, which worked. Prices progressed naturally from there.

The biggest lesson I have learnt is that people really can do anything they want if they put enough energy into it. It sounds simplistic, but it’s true.

Anna-Wili's tips for success

■ Be fearless. You should always be brave enough to destroy your work, or partially destroy it, to improve it. Every time I have torn the head off one of my creations and started again, it has turned out for the best.
■ Find inspiration through work. There is this great quote from Picasso that says, “inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.” If you are looking for inspiration, just start creating something, then it comes.