Taz Witkamp

Enamel on Quality Paper
100% cotton 300g/m2

In early 2018 I travelled Asia, and found myself fascinated, and intrigued with life in Japan. I was influenced by the contrast between traditional and modern Japanese culture. Although renowned for its sterile social conduct and lack of intimacy, bathhouses and onsens remain a necessary part of their day. I thought it was beautiful that after a day at work, everyone strips down to their vulnerable human form to participate in a primitive event of washing.

I used black Enamel paint as it is a runny substance and creates gestural lines and fluidity. I think it parallels with the traditions of Japanese ink drawings but recontextualises the practice to become more bold and spontaneous. My practice involves making many of these works rapidly and then selecting the ones that I think are successful.

Every piece is unique and handmade by myself. My practice is spontaneous and unorchistrated, falling subject to the fluidity of the paint and the movement of my hand. For this reason I cannot reproduce, however there is satisfaction in knowing every piece is the only one of its kind.

• HSC major work and studies completed under R. Tarrant. 2011

• Bachelor of Fine arts, UNSW School of Art and Design. Major in Drawing
and Painting. Completed under D. Eastwood, P. Sharp, P. Thomas, K.
Banyard and M. Tong. 2015
• Residency “The Picker’s Hut” Studio of Matt Calvert, Glaziers bay, Tasmania, October 2017

• Graduate exhibition COFA, “Anthropocene” 2015
• Dual Exhibition with Nada Herman 2016, Heritage Studio Hy-Brasil,
Sydney
• Exhibition “Art Therapy”, Avalon Surf Lifesaving club, Event for One
Eighty Youth Suicide Awareness night, Sydney 2017• Group Exhibition “Mixed Palette” Avalon Community Hall. Sydney 2017
• Residency “The Picker’s Hut” Studio of Matt Calvert, Glaziers bay, Tasmania, October 2017