Earlier this year Tamara Dean, as a part of the artists residency at UNSW, was asked to produce a series of portraits of their researchers in the field.
The Exhibition ‘Wild Researchers’ is the culmination of this series and opens this evening at the Australian Museum.
Artist Profile interviewed Tamara and a link to the interview can be viewed here
Tamara Dean’s latest exhibition has been featured in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. Here and Now is an immersive installation piece bringing together sight, touch, sound and scent in order to immerse viewers in nature.
The installation itself is a single dark room with three walls lined with mirrors and the fourth bearing an enormous photograph of nude figures in nature. The floor is flooded with water, with only a few stepping stones providing a place to stand. The space is also permeated by the sound of insects and an organic, muddy smell ‘like water on rocks.’
“(Here and Now) is a reminder about the value of nature in our lives and also that we are intrinsically linked to nature.” – Tamara Dean in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The true nature of the artwork was kept a secret by Dean right up until it’s opening, the only clue being that it would be ‘an immersive experience.’ The work also signals a new direction for Dean’s practice. With her origins in photography, the artist took the opportunity to paint late last year with her finalist entry in the Portia Geach Memorial award. Though after this piece, the possibilities for Tamara’s art are endless.
Tamara Dean is currently the artist in residence at The University of NSW
To read the article in the Sydney Morning Herald, click here
Watch an interview with Tamara Dean about Here and Now below.
Tamara Dean, Here and Now
Studio 1, UNSW, Kensington, entry via gate 2 off High st.
Thursday February 5, 6 – 8pm
Saturday February 7, 2 – 5pm
Tamara Dean has an exhibition of new works set to open on the 4th of February. The artist is giving little away about the show ‘Here and Now,’ describing it only as an ‘immersive,’ ‘sensory experience’ and as ‘a new direction.’ Indeed, even the location of the exhibition is being withheld until 24 hours before the opening. As much mystery, excitement and intrigue as there is surrounding the show, this exhibition promises to be thoroughly interesting and engaging.
After a successful year in 2014 which included the artist’s inclusion as a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, the Bowness Prize and the Portia Geach Memorial Award, Tamara’s new works are highly anticipated.
Those wanting to attend the opening can register by sending an email to inthehereandnow2015@gmail.com
Numbers are limited so if you would like to be a part of this experience it is best to email soon.
Tamara Dean
‘Here and Now’
Opening night
Wednesday February 4
6 – 8pm
Public viewing
Thursday February 5, 6 – 8pm
Saturday February 7, 2 – 5pm
A big congratulations to Sophie Cape, Jo Bertini and Tamara Dean, who have all been picked as finalists in the Portia Geach Memorial Award for 2014, to be exhibited at the National Trust S.H Ervine Gallery.
The annual award exhibits contemporary portraiture by Australian women artists and is recognised as a significant celebration of the talents and creativity of Australian female painters.
The prize was founded by Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister Portia Geach with the first award being given in 1965. Portia was a strong campaigner of women’s rights and intent on painting at the highest standard, despite the lack of opportunities given to women artists in Australia during the first half of the 20th Century.
Portia Geach Memorial Award:
7 November – 14 December 2014
National Trust S.H Ervine Gallery
2 Watson Rd, Millers Point NSW 2000
Jo Bertini, Trail Blazer / Bone Collector -Through Desert Eyes, 2014, oil on canvas, 91 x 91cm
Sophie Cape, Romper Stomper (Dan Wyllie), 2014, oil, acrylic, bitumen, charcoal, ink and soil on canvas, 209 x 203cm
Tamara Dean, Mirra, 2014, oil on canvas, 46 x 36cm
This weekend Tamara Dean will feature on the ABC Arts program ‘The Mix.’ Tamara is set to talk about her recent practice with Melanie Tait, as well as about her work ‘The Artists’ currently on show as a finalist in the 2014 Bowness Prize at Monash Gallery.
‘The Mix’
Saturday 27 September, 7:30pm
ABC News 24
2014 Bowness Prize
4 September – 12 October 2014
Monash Gallery of Art
860 Ferntree Gully Road
Wheelers Hill VIC 3150
A screenshot from Tamara Dean’s upcoming interview on the ABC Arts Program ‘The Mix’
Tamara Dean, The Artists, 2013, ink-jet print, 111 x 250 cm
Tamara Dean discusses her artistic practice with Yie Sandison in the current issue of Chrysalis Magazine.
“I visualise my work almost like it’s a piece of music. It might start in a particular way and then it builds – it still remains the same piece of music but you add to it so it becomes a richer piece.” – Tamara Dean, Chrysalis Magazine
Listen to Tamara Dean in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Melanie Tait on Weekend Arts. The interview, from Saturday 19 July, is now available to listen to here online on the ABC Radio National website. Dean discusses her move into full time fine art photography after working as a photojournalist for the 10 years while also juggling her fine art practice. Dean also discusses her most recent body of work and the intense processes involved in creating her images.
Tamara Dean, The Artists, 2013, ink-jet print, 111 x 250 cm
Congratulations to Tamara Dean for selection as a finalist in the Monash Gallery of Art’s 2014 Bowness Prize with her work ‘The Artists’.
The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize was established in 2006 to promote excellence in photography. The annual prize is non-acquisitive, with $25,000 awarded to the winner. The winner will be announced on Thursday 4 September.
The jury for the 2014 Bowness Prize comprises Melbourne-based artist Siri Hayes, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia Angus Trumble, and Shaune Lakin, MGA Gallery Director.
2014 Bowness Prize
4 September – 12 October 2014
Monash Gallery of Art
860 Ferntree Gully Road
Wheelers Hill VIC 3150
Tamara Dean, The Artists, 2013, ink-jet print, 111 x 250 cm
“The Edge describes a few things for me: the dramatic emotional landscape of teenage years when self-discovery begins and independence is forged; being on the cusp of moving from childhood to adulthood physically, along with the emotional uncertainty and vulnerability which imbues those teenage years. For me, this boy standing alone in the column of water symbolises that state of transformation and illumination.” – Tamara Dean, Anne Summers Reports, April 2014
“In this series I wanted to make the point that we have informal rites of passage other than binge-drinking. The places in nature that many of us are lucky enough to have access to in Australia and the USA are important social and environmental spaces for coming of age rituals. The rock drops and rope swings; the overgrown lots at the end of the street; the bushland nearby or at the back of the school. The spaces where teenagers go to flex their newfound independence.” – Tamara Dean, Anne Summers Reports, April 2014
As a photo journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald for over ten years, Dean describes the move from journalism to fine art as “… a huge step for me, a dramatically different approach in almost every way. My works went from being responsive to an existing situation, to becoming preconceived and directed.” – Tamara Dean, Anne Summers Reports, April 2014
Anne Summers, founder and editor of the online magazine as well as regular contributor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, worked formerly as the Canberra bureau chief for the Australian Financial Review, was the editor of Good Weekend and has worked as a correspondent and reported for the Far East Review, Le Mond and the National Times.
Read the Anne Summers Reports article here.
Tamara Dean’s available works can be viewed here on the Olsen Irwin website.
Tamara Dean, The Creek, 2013, photograph on archival fibre based cotton rag paper, 75 x 100cm
Tamara Dean has garnered yet another accolade with her work ‘Centre of the Universe’ selected for the ‘Aesthetica Art Prize 2014 – 100 Contemporary Artists’ exhibition. As one of 92 longlisted artists, Dean’s work is presented on a monitor at York St Mary’s contemporary art gallery and features in the exhibition publication.
Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition
4 April – 22 June 2014
York St Mary’s
Castlegate
York YO1 9RN
Tamara Dean, Centre of the Universe, 2011, Photograph on archival cotton rag paper, 76 x 102cm