Packing bags to go and live in Borneo sounds like the pursuit of a latter-day anthropologist. But it's what Tasmanian artist Jennifer Tyers has done. Not only that but she found a muse in her tropical surrounds. Up until now, Jennifer created works with a more subdued palette and gothic undertones in her subject. But now her paintings are notable for their confident use of colour, and the celebration of life around her. Jennifer has taken a non-traditional approach to art-making since training in printmaking at the Tasmanian School of Art. For many years she based herself in Melbourne where she worked on a couple of picture books, as well as creating illustrated designs for products via her Ty&Co range. Jennifer also took the plunge and exhibited with the Helen Gory Galerie - her first show was a sellout. When it is night, when it is day (with text by Minami Aoyama) was published in 1995 by Penguin. Bearmouth was published by Blabbermouth Books. More recently Jennifer has exhibited with Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane.
Which five words best describe you? Patient, intuitive, awry, imaginative, dedicated.
How did you progress to a career as an artist? I just kept on doing it.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Maybe two things. It's good to daydream and always make the work for myself. Every person is unique and so if you are an artist it is your own personal response to things that make the work sing.
What's your proudest career achievement? My first solo show at Helen Gory Galerie, "Silent Forest", and it was a sellout.
What's been your best decision? To live in Asia for a while.
Who inspires you? Artists - Heather Swann, Marlene Dumas, Louise Bourgeois, Leonora Carrington, Cormac McCarthy, Sei Shonagon, Kill Pixie, my friends. Bob Brown.
What are you passionate about? Nature.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Louise Bourgeois.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? To meet a South Korean shaman.
What are you reading? My life in the bush of ghosts by Amos Tutola.
images courtesy of jennifer tyers and edwina corlette gallery
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