Marisa Mu Art and Portrait Photography
Marisa Mu
2023–24
Melbourne, Australia
Portrait Photography, Art Photography
Marisa Mu is a Blacktown-born, East Timorese Hakka Chinese artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Her interdisciplinary practice weaves together painting, textiles, sculpture, poetry, and performance, all deeply rooted in community engagement.
Through her work, she amplifies stories of lived experiences, advocating for visibility, truth-telling, and the empowerment of migrant and refugee women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and culturally diverse voices. Her art is a radiant expression of hope, resilience, and love.
Marisa has entrusted me with profile and artwork photography that she uses for her magazine features and content marketing.
I had the privilege of capturing Marisa’s presence and artistic essence through portrait and artwork photography, contributing to her evolving visual narrative. In late October 2023, I photographed Marisa in her North Fitzroy studio, creating intimate portraits that were later featured in Art Edit Magazine’s Issue #38 Summer Edition (December 2023). The experience was a beautiful exchange of creative energy, allowing me to document not only her artistry but also her spirit and workspace.
In February 2024, I had the opportunity to photograph Marisa’s work for her final solo exhibition in Naarm/Melbourne before her move to NYC. Titled With Pleasure, the show was held at At the above gallery in Fitzroy. My photographs were used for the gallery’s online catalogue and Marisa’s social media, helping to visually communicate the tactile depth and emotional resonance of her pieces.
“I have trusted in the process and allowed my intuition and curiosity about being a third culture kid navigating their queerness and sense of place come to the forefront. This body of work is about overcoming loss, instilling hope, remembering the past and understanding universal love languages ascend generations.
The artworks within this show carry the resilience, spirit and power of those who have walked before me — I am here to pay homage to the stories that make us human and to bring auspiciousness into our everyday sphere.”
Working with Marisa has been an ongoing and deeply fulfilling creative partnership. Each project—whether capturing her portrait, documenting her evolving body of work, or contributing to her exhibition visuals—has been an opportunity to witness and celebrate her artistic journey. Being entrusted with preserving these moments through photography feels incredibly meaningful, as it allows me to support her storytelling and the ever-expanding dialogue within her practice.
“Working with Maysie was an absolute delight – her professionalism, commitment to the vision and genuinity made working together incredibly organic and seamless. The final outcomes were exactly what I was looking for in terms of editorial and PR collateral.
I am grateful for having the opportunity to work alongside Maysie as her design eye and natural skill for photography and styling was made clear during every shoot we worked on together. I look forward to working again with her in the near future.”