Inspired by the vast complexity of being alive, Carla believes play is vital and should extend beyond childhood. Her practice explores the social narratives and connections found in everyday moments, celebrating the tender joy of gathering and being present together. Carla creates multisensory, interactive experiences that invite audiences to consume, touch, and physically engage with the work. Growing up where food was central to social life, she often uses meals as a creative tool, seeing them as powerful catalysts for connection. Meeting our most basic needs can open space for vulnerability, conversation, and meaningful interaction: conditions that spark collaborative art experiences. Printmaking is a cornerstone of Carla’s practice, which she developed further during a year-long residency at Peacock & the Worm Print Studio, culminating in her first solo exhibition in 2023. She has exhibited widely and also works across film and bookmaking, valuing collaboration and the friendships that shape her creative process.

See Carla’s work as part of our exhibition of work by emerging artists, Starter Pack, curated by gallery intern Hope Reynolds. Starter Pack is many things: it’s a grass roots opportunity for artists to begin, or expand on, their repertoire of exhibitions, to connect with other artists in Glasgow, to further their understanding of working with galleries and curators, and to gain publicity. Starter Pack runs at Six Foot from August 12th to August 26th.

Hi Carla! Tell us about your artistic background – what is your earliest memory of being interested in art? 
Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be an artist! I remember constantly drawing to explain things – it’s always felt like the easiest way for me to communicate. We even still have a worksheet from nursery that asks what you want to be when you grow up, and mine says, in very bold writing, ARTIST! So it’s something I’ve always been drawn to. I’m really grateful that creativity was encouraged from such a young age.

What does community (in the arts) mean to you?
Community in art is so important. It’s the backbone of everything. I know I’m biased because my work focuses on connection and how people support each other, but it really is powerful! Supporting other artists, sharing experiences, techniques, and ideas only strengthens the wider community. It makes things more joyful too; community means good conversations at gallery openings, genuine encouragement, and showing up for one another.

Can you elaborate on the themes you explore in your work? 
My work explores how people connect and how we can care for and support each other. I’m interested in the humanness of those interactions – the bits that don’t always make sense – and I like to explore all aspects of those experiences. Food often features as a tool in my work. I host communal meal events and create artwork around the rituals of gathering and eating together. These shared moments around food feel like fundamental points of connection.

What is your chosen medium, and why do you enjoy working with it?
Printmaking is a base of my creative practice, though I also work with ceramics, drawing, film, bookmaking… and a few other things! In most projects, printmaking features in some way. I love how versatile it is and the wide range of techniques it offers. I often combine different disciplines: screen printing with glaze onto ceramics, for example. I tend to think in layers, and I’m led by the ideas I want to explore. I usually find the material and medium that suits the work, rather than starting with the medium first.

Can you share a glimpse of your next project?
 I’m currently exploring ideas of place – how we assign value (whether necessary or not) to certain objects and locations, and how stories shape our understanding of them. I’m thinking about the space between imagined memory and fact. This builds on my solo show SUGO, which looked at how care and relationships are held in the quiet, unseen moments of preparing food for others. I guess I’m continuing to explore humanness and the way we make sense of the world.

Have you recently finished your degree? What’s next for you?
I graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2022 and was awarded a year-long residency at Peacock and the Worm, Aberdeen, afterwards. During the residency, I focused on printmaking, explored new ideas, and really valued having space to experiment and play. I’m now living in Edinburgh and have been lucky to work with some fantastic organisations to continue to deliver art workshops, as well as exhibit and run events. I’m also working at Tiphereth, a wonderful community and print studio. I’m really enjoying the work I’m doing right now, and I’m excited to keep creating and sharing more! I’m always very interested in and open to collaborative work!

Find out more about Carla’s work on Instagram. Starter Pack runs at Six Foot Gallery until Tuesday 26th August 2025.