We Asked Tania Blanchard 12 Interesting Questions About Herself.
What was the inspiration behind your piece for SWELL Sculpture Festival 2023?
The inspiration behind ‘The Pixel’ was challenging peoples assumptions that things aren’t always as they seem.
I wanted to create an interactive piece that takes the viewer by surprise and on closer inspection you may find joy, colour and little bit of magic reside within.
Where were you born, where are you living now, and how does where you live affect your art?
I was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia but I have not lived there for many years now. Melbourne and Sydney I once called home but it’s Burleigh Heads in the Gold Coast where I now reside and have lived for the past 17 years. Choosing to live here has meant that I am able to work from home and have a large studio out the back of my property which may not have been possible/affordable in other cities. Plus the weather in the Gold Coast is a huge bonus for me and my art practice. My impasto art style is really dependent on drying time and the warmer days is perfect for this.
If you are having a ‘cuppa’ is it tea or coffee?
Definitely a tea but make it a chai tea please. Not the syrupy or powdered version but the proper leaves that’s brewed in a pot. I’m quite addicted to my chai teas and have at least two or three to start my day. I just love the aroma and taste of all the spices.
Where do you find inspiration?
I know it sounds cliqued or vague but I find inspiration everywhere. I think if you’re creative you can be inspired visually by your surrounds or by words or a piece of music etc. I’m very much drawn to colour and composition so getting out in nature is a perfect place for inspiration. But even in the most banal objects when you look at them from a different perspective you can always find something interesting that can inspire a new work.
What is your favourite meal to cook when trying to impress someone?
I cook every night for my 3 hungry teenagers and sometimes they are hard to please but it’s all about volume at the moment as they always seem so hungry.
But if I was really wanting to impress someone I think I’d put together a few Thai inspired dishes. I do a pretty mean Tom Yum Goong Soup and Chicken Larb but my specialty would be a Green Paw Paw salad…one of my all time favourite things to eat as well.
If you weren’t an artist, what would your profession be?
Gosh that’s a hard one as I can’t imagine not being an artist. I’ve been a graphic designer, a DJ, a song writer, a photographer so were all artistic jobs of some kind. But if I had to choose something that wasn’t related to art then maybe if I had more rhythm and coordination a professional modern dancer. I would tour the world busting moves on the dance floor. And if there was a glitter ball above an illuminated dance floor then I would be in heaven.
What is your easy-to-watch movie?
Mmmmm. I think I’d say Crazy, Stupid, Love.
It has all the feels with two of my favourite actors. It’s funny, sad, endearing, relatable and I never tire watching this feel good movie.
If you could have lunch with any artist from any era, who would it be?
Can I pick a few?
Claude Monet
Mark Rothko
Friday Kahlo
What does it mean to you to be a featured artist in SWELL Sculpture Festival?
It means so much to me to be a featured artist in SWELL.
I paint and create artworks on a canvas everyday as a profession but being able to extend myself as an artist in a 3 dimensional way and seeing an idea come to life has just been so exciting and wonderful to work on.
If you could choose any, what superpower would you want?
Maybe make myself invisible.
I think this superpower would come in very handy.
Oh the places I could sneak into!!!
What was your favourite moment of 2023 so far?
Finding out my application for Swell Festival 2023 was approved was definitely a highlight for me.
What advice do you have for emerging artists?
Just do it! Believe in yourself and keep going no matter how hard it can get sometimes! Plus I think it’s great to have some sort of goal to work towards even if it’s small. This can change from year-to-year and whether its creating a body of work for an exhibition or entering an art prize or a finding a collaboration etc. Having a goal or a plan keeps you motivated. So when there are days where you’re not feeling so great knowing that you have some sort of goal can inspire you to dust yourself off and keep going.
