Mia Gilge

Artist Statement

My name is Mia Gilje (They/He) and I am a second year Film studies student with a minor in Visual Studies. I’m currently a working artist as one of the Visuals Co-Editors for the Gauntlet here at the University of Calgary.

Bludgeon, 2025

Bludgeon, 2025, is a simultaneous grotesque and comforting self portrait.

The red strings are meant to invoke the sentiment of red strings on a failing evidence board - a desperation to find a non-existent answer. However, the contrasting blue strings represent what I have learnt instead.

I have torn myself from the inside out, attempting to understand who and what I am.

Instead, I have gained the freedom of accepting that identity is a flowing force growing alongside us. It is not a stagnant core, waiting to be realized.