Tanya Duckworth

Artist Biography
Tanya Duckworth

Tanya Duckworth studied Commercial Photography at the Sydney Institute of Technology, Ultimo Australia in 1998 and 1999 whilst working as a freelance Photographic Assistant and Photographer for various studios from age 16 to 24. Grounded with the technical knowledge, Tanya sought out a more creative environment in which to evolve her photography. By enrolling in a Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of Newcastle in 2000 and majoring in Photography and Graphic Design, Tanya was able to integrate her technical expertise with an artistic focus to create artwork that was both conceptual and novel.

During her time at University, Tanya focused on abstract photographic techniques in her painting and interdisciplinary classes. Within these classes, she created organic forms using various chemical techniques that at times involved explosions in the darkroom while she learnt which chemicals should not be used together on photographic materials. The idea was to “paint photographically” by combining light and chemistry, which in turn, formed distinct cell like structures. These structures formed the basis of a series of final works fittingly titled “Cells”. The study was based on metaphorical Alchemical principles of converting base matter into an “enlightened” form (sometimes referred to as gold). In this case the chemical process, through which the “Cells” were created, evolved into works based upon the concept of cellular cloning, bringing into question ethics, morality, and the weakening vs. strengthening of species though artificial reproduction. Are we really being enlightened?

In 2002, after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art, Tanya moved to the USA to continue her study and concentrate on developing her painting and drawing skills. Whilst working as an Au Pair in San Antonio, Texas, Tanya enrolled in San Antonio College’s Fine Art department in Drawing IV and Painting III, where she battled with some crazy teaching techniques that ultimately taught her to release her inhibitions and artist “ego” to create the “perfect” artwork. There she learnt to use art to express her emotions without constraint. Her art style has changed considerably as a result of this transformation and she views her current work as a private therapy to help work through some personal traumas and the many emotional ups and downs associated with them.

Tanya is currently working towards an exhibition to be titled “Cocoons”.
“Cocoons” is a continuance, or more appropriately an evolution, of the work that Tanya began whilst in the US, which was titled “Secrets”. “Secrets” utilised the meditative process of encapsulating tiny pieces of rice paper with secrets written on them, within small parchment boxes bound together by silk. From this process, the concept of “Cocoons” evolved. Whilst the parchment boxes kept the secrets within, only to be revealed if violently ripped apart, the silk from the parchment could be used to create another device to encapsulate those secrets, and provide a less destructive way to eventually release them. The very nature of the “cocoon” indicates that the secrets will be revealed only when they are strong enough to deal with the judgment of the outside world, and ultimately be released from their beautiful but delicate prison.

“The works you see today are only a part of a continual evolution of myself, my emotions and my art…through my art…
Tonight I will wrap myself in my cocoon again, to be reborn into a new tomorrow, with more secrets accumulating through my hibernation, yet to emerge …
in a new conception…” – Tanya Duckworth (2008)

Education:
2008 Master of Psychoanalytic Studies
Deakin University, VIC Australia
2008 Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies
Deakin University, VIC Australia
2003 Fine Art
San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX USA
2002 Bachelor of Fine Art
University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus, NSW Australia
Major - Photography/Graphic Design
1999 Certificate III in Photography
Sydney Institute of Technology, NSW Australia
1997 Higher School Certificate - 2/3 Unit Visual Art
2 Unit Photography
Berkeley Vale Community High School, NSW Australia

Exhibitions:
2008 Group show at Hear Music, San Antonio, TX, USA
2002 Flight - Ourimbah Fine Art Gallery, University of Newcastle
2002 Banford Portrait Prize - Ourimbah University
2002 Annual Student Acquisitive Art Prize - Wattspace Galleries
2002 Pacific Palms Art Festival - Pacific Palms Community Centre
2002 Empowering Body and Mind - Wattspace Galleries
2002 Nuance - Wattspace Galleries
2001 Gender - Ourimbah University Fine Arts Gallery
2001 Laurie Andrews Memorial Photography Competition - Gosford Regional Gallery
1997 Exhibition of HSC Artworks - David Jones, Tuggerah
1997 VANN Art Camp Exhibition - Abbotsford Boys Rowing Club



Awards & Publications:
The Art Almanac, February 2002, p.63 and 80
The Ourimban, April 2002, P.5
NBN News, 7 February 2002
Photography International Magazine, Vol. 14 # 8, P. 32 and 35
3rd Place in Glamour/Beauty/Fashion Photography Competition and publication of winning photograph in Photography International Magazine.

Commissioned artwork and illustration:
Mikal Johnstone – Reflections
2006
CD Cover Art and design
2002 Paradise C Type Photograph
2002 Bamboo C Type Photograph
2002 Macau C Type Photograph
2002 Biochemistry Digital Artwork

Additional Acheivements:
FASS (Fine Art Student Society)
University of Newcastle – Ourimbah Campus, NSW
January 2002 – December 2002
Design Committee: Designing exhibition invitations, posters, catalogues, flyers and associated marketing materials for Fine Art Student exhibitions throughout the year.
Public Relations Committee: Organised Sponsorship of Events, Entertainment, Advertising