Merle Smalla, *1997, studied experimental design at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts and began working as a freelance artist after graduating in 2021. As she has always combined the performing arts with the visual arts, her range of work covers many different areas: Costume design, puppet/mask making, illustration, acting, puppetry and walk act theatre. Merle loves inventing creatures and characters, experimenting with materials or even transforming herself into a creature. She works on the border between visual and performing arts and develops exhibitions, performances and theatre projects throughout Germany, based in Bremen.