"I have been teaching sculpture privately to adults for eleven years, and I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge of sculpture with those who take my classes. I feel it is important to provide a stimulating, comfortable environment in the regular weekly lessons, when I guide the students in clay modelling from live models, or facilitate other projects the students bring to class.

My approach is a free one, I enjoy a challenge, love learning from the students, and I'm deeply rewarded when I witness artistic growth. Apart from the regular classes, I run workshops and have helped matriculants with their portfolio pieces. I have also become more active in mentoring local previously disadvantaged artists to realise their artistic talent.

As a ceramic designer, Marina Walsh Designs has been in existence since 2004; I have designed and manufactured a few ranges of exclusive and original sculptural ornaments for game lodges and interior designers. This part of my work was inspired by the need, post-1994, to grow a new fresh identity in local craft and develop a new iconography that aspired to international markets, but was sourced and inspired by our local culture and talent. These unique items have been on display at local and international trade fairs such as Decorex and Ambiente, in Germany as well as dedicated design shows such as the Design Indaba, Cape Town and 100% Design SA. The works are often featured in interior design and current magazines.

As an artist, my first commission, in 2009, was to create a larger-than-life memorial of Walter and Albertina Sisulu that stands in Diagonal Street, Newtown. Subsequently, I was commissioned to do a portrait of the Mayor of Johannesburg. In the first phase of The National Heritage Project, spearheaded by Dali Tambo, I was commissioned to do a bronze life-size figure of Bishop Colenso, the first Anglican Bishop of Natal who, by translating the bible from English to Zulu, became an important mediator between the British and the AmaZulu.

In recent years, I have created a signature range of bronze figures, divers and gymnasts, depictions of human form at a particular and vital point of action. I have captured these figures in a frozen moment and hold them on a sandstone base which is an integral part of the movement shown. These figures have formed part of group exhibitions with galleries such as Carol Lee Fine Art and at Art Festivals throughout South Africa.

Since 2014, I have been working on a series of large bowls which seek both to contain and be contained by a landscape. By mixing clays and carving into the clay, I create vessels that are emotionally evocative and reminiscent of my travels in Africa."