Biography
Tanja was born in Vienna, Austria but grew up in Germany where she worked as a journalist for Esquire magazine.
In 1989 she moved to Australia where she studied Fine Art, encompassing various subjects from photography and film making to painting and sculpture, completing a Bachelor of Film and Television at the Victorian College of the Arts film school in 1995.
Tanja made several short films which were screened at film festivals all over the world. Her TV documentary Death and Passion was filmed on location in Spain. Tanja also travelled 9000 kilometres throughout Australia to direct a travel documentary for German television.
In recent years, Tanja's creativity has returned to sculpture. She has exhibited in various exhibitions throughout Australia, won first prize at the INSPIRED Art Award and several of her sculptures were 'highly commended’. She also completed a commission of 16 sculptures for the Sydney Park Hyatt Hotel.
In the fabrication of her sculptures Tanja uses a vast variety of materials from bronze to industrial/ mechanical components and from photographs to packaging materials. She appropriates everyday functional objects, placing them into new contexts.
Tanja likes to create an aesthetic, creative realm that is challenging to her and the viewer.
More than wishing to supply answers, she wants to pose questions. She would like to inspire the viewers to have their own thoughts on the universe, our relationship with it and human nature.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
SOLAR - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne, 2021
JOURNEY // ZEHN - Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery, Melbourne 2017
METROPOLIS - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne, 2015
DESCARDES - Lancaster Press Gallery, Melbourne, 2007
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2019
RESOUNDING BLUE - Art in the Vines, Hanging Rock Vineyard
ADAPTATION - Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
2018
FROM NATURE - Land Art Exhibition, Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
INHABITANTS - Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
2017
FROM NATURE - Land Art Exhibition, Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
BEHIND THE SCENES - Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
2016
FROM NATURE - Land Art Exhibition, Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne
WATER - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne
BONANZA - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne
2015
PIXEL Art and Technology - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne.
FROM NATURE - Land Art Exhibition, Gasworks Arts Park, Winner of the Curator’s Choice Award.
MANDALA - Sculpture Exhibition, Toyota Spirit Gallery, Melbourne
2014
BONANZA - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne - Winner of Art Almanach Prize, Judge Ken Scarlett
FLOWER - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne
CSA SURVEY SHOW, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne
FLOURISH - Toyota Spirit Gallery, Melbourne, 2012
MONTALTO Sculpture Prize, Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula, 2011
TOORAK VILLAGE Sculpture Exhibition, Melbourne, 2010. Highly commended
CURRENT - Sculpture Biennial, Wangaratta, 2010
MELBOURNE FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, Melbourne
BONANZA - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne. Winner of AGA Award
LINDEN GALLERY Postcard Show, Melbourne, 2009
CRYPYOZOOLOGY - Toyota Spirit Gallery, 2008
WILLIAMSTOWN Contemporary Art Prize, Melbourne
MORELAND Sculpture Show, Melbourne
INSPIRED Art Prize, Melbourne, 2007. Winner 1st Prize
THE GARDEN PATH - Toyota Spirit Gallery, Melbourne
COMISSIONS:
16 Bronze Sculptures for Park Hyatt Hotel Sydney