After modelling in the fashion industry for over 15 years, Tanya Linney has been exposed to ideas of materialism, consumerism, sexual exploitation and the role of beauty and age on a regular basis. Now that her modelling days are behind her, the Australian beauty has chosen to explore these controversial ideas through her art and is launching an exhibition in Sydney’s Surry Hills this July.
“In a modern society full of visual overload and stimulus, we are becoming increasingly obsessed with the exterior self-image, tempting and fuelling our social anxieties,” she says. “The idea of ‘self’ has become a comic gentrification, a bi-product of materialism and identities formed through brands.”
And although her art touches on some serious topics, Linney reminds her audience that the work is not as heavy as we may think, and as with all her work there is a layer of humour to the collection. “As much as we explore these aspects of society, we also learn not to take ourselves too seriously, which is a notion often forgotten in today’s world of celebrity, fame and glamour,” she explains.
Even with her newfound power to put the spotlight on problems within the industry through her art, Linney is still a part of the fashion world. Since becoming an artist, Linney has worked with some of Australia’s most prestigious designers including Kirrily Johnston, Sass and Bide and Ksubi on various projects, and her collaboration with Dion Lee in 2011 saw her art used on fabrics for his collection.
The Tales of Tempt collection comprises 18 one-off pieces using paint, charcoal, oil, collage and enamel on canvas and wood. It is Linney’s first significant shift away from her usual methods of photography and collage.
The Tales of Tempt exhibition will run from July 4 – July 10, 2014.
China Heights
16-18 Foster Street
Surry Hills 2010 NSW
