Based in the Northern Illawarra, Tanya grew up on a rural property with a lot of freedom and capacity to play imaginatively. She credits these early childhood experiences with enriching her ability to surrender to the creative process.
She recalls a particularly vivid memory of a birthday party at the Riversdale property where Arthur Boyd was painting. Being only four years old, Tanya was not allowed to go to the river with the other children. Instead she watched Boyd working and recalls the paint-splattered cement floor of the studio and the sunlight streaming through the wide windows overlooking the river. Admiring the way in which he approached his work with thick meaty strokes of paint, Tanya says she was inspired by his freedom of expression, which triggered her resolve to become an artist.
Tanya calls herself a social landscape painter. Her goal is to explore the Australian identity, our stories and pastimes. She seeks to create iconic images that weave together stories of the land, its people and history. She explores both rural and industrial landscapes and defines herself as working in “abstraction of the landscape”. Her use of materials and the interpretations of places are always constructed through a highly intuitive process.
In 2008 Tanya returned to her rural roots, completing a residency at Bundanon. She was also chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Wynne prize at the Art Gallery of NSW. She has won and been a finalist in many prizes since, including the Waverley Art Prize (Winner 2013, Mixed Media), Wollongong City Gallery Art Prize (Winner, 2012), and the Paddington Art Prize (Finalist, 2011). Since starting work in 2006 she has exhibited in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Alice Springs and China in both solo and group exhibitions.
She is a long-time exhibitor, supporter and a part of the family at Scarborough.
We asked Tanya a few questions about her artwork in the lead-up to the 2023 Scarborough Art Show.
What are you working on at the moment?
Artworks for Scarborough Art Show and for my old school that I have purchased in Broken Hill.
I will be setting it up as an artist residency and retreat program and when not booked for those programs it will be a Airbnb. It needs a lot of renovation, but as a creative person I am super excited about it. The theme is going to be French rustic.
I love it out there in Broken Hill – the landscape, the people – it's actually a really stunning town. It was the first town in NSW to be heritage listed. There are so many beautiful buildings there and it has a really big creative community. Broken Hill has more galleries per capita than any town in Australia.
Why do you choose this medium?
I initially trained in painting at art school, but I did a sculpture major and now my artwork is really an integration of the two mediums. Using nostalgic and sentimental elements sourced from all over Australia, I create works which speak to people of their experiences – for me, construction offers an opening to access the subconscious through these materials, which in turn trigger the memories of childhood experiences and pastimes.
What motivates you to create?
That's an easy question – I just love creating art, the ideas never stop. It excites me and brings me so much joy to be privileged to be making beautiful artworks that people fall in love with. It's an absolute delight.
What makes you curious?
Exploring new ideas and taking on new projects. I have just purchased an old Catholic school in Broken Hill and the creative project of the renovation and making it beautiful definitely stimulates my curious nature.
What do you enjoy about the Scarborough Art Show?
I love the Scarborough Art Show for many reasons. My four children all went to Scarborough Public School and I have volunteered and worked on the Art Show for so many years now.
I also love the great sense of community – you really feel like part of the family when your children go to a small school.
In addition, being an artist I have had many great years selling my artworks at the show.
It's a really great weekend all round for the Northern Illawarra community.
The Scarborough ArtShow is back this weekend. Opening night is on Friday 6th and the show is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8. Visit Scarborough Public School, 371-381 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborough, NSW 2515. Find out more at www.scarboroughartshow.com and book opening night tickets here
