The paintings of Brisbane-based Tammy Whitworth (b. 1976) are laden with microscopic detail, painstakingly manifesting illusions of the absurd and uncanny. Fusing surreal motifs with scenes from the natural world, Whitworth’s practice is reminiscent of illustrations from an alien children’s book; each work is immediately amusing and quietly disconcerting. Her photorealistic approach convinces the spectator of the legitimacy in her hybrid constructions, making them increasingly unnerving and utilizing her phenomenal skill. 

 

Within her work, Tammy navigates the most inexpressible conflicts of motherhood, giving form to a maternal weight that often remains internally suppressed. In response to an environment that feels intensely overwhelming and out of her control, the artist finds solace in the methodical creation of her otherworldly visions. Each of her works resounds with contemplative quiet, emanating the peace that the artist so desperately craves. 

 

Tammy’s distinctive practice has been widely celebrated as the two-time recipient of the ACSA scholarship, a finalist in the Lethbridge Landscape prize, Lethbridge small-scale and Finalist in Redland Art Award. Tammy also taught at the Ipswich Art Society in Queensland. 

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TAMMY WHITWORTH CV

 

Born 1976, Adelaide

Currently lives and works in Brisbane

 

EDUCATION

2008    Bachelor of Visual Art (Honours), Adelaide Central School of Art, South Australia

2007    Advanced Diploma of Visual Art, Adelaide Central School of Art, South Australia

2006    Associate Degree of Visual Art, Adelaide Central School of Art, South Australia

2005    Certificate IV of Visual Art, Adelaide Central School of Art, South Australia

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023    Linger, Peek Gallery, Byron Bay, New South Wales

2009    In This Together, Gallery 139, Stepney, South Australia

2008    He Was The Best One I Saw, A Room Of Her Own, Croydon, South Australia

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023    Group Exhibition, Land Street Gallery, Toowong, Queensland

2023    Welcome Home, Brenda Colahan Fine Art, Sydney, New South Wales

2023    Affordable Art Fair, Brenda Colahan Fine Art, Sydney, New South Wales

2022    Naturally Embedded, Land Street Gallery, Toowong, Queensland

2022    Redland Art Awards, Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, Queensland

2022    Concrete Candy, Peek Gallery, Byron Bay, New South Wales

2021    Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Queensland

2021    Lethbridge Landscape Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Queensland

2014    Wish You Were Here, Adelaide Central Gallery, Glenside, South Australia

2014    Group Exhibition, Ipswich Art Society, Ipswich, Queensland

2009    Hatched 09: National Graduate Show, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Perth, Western Australia

2008    Survey 13 Bachelor of Visual Art Graduate Exhibition, Adelaide Central Gallery, Norwood, South Australia

2008    Roomies, A Room Of Her Own, Croydon, South Australia

2008    Cliftons Art Prize, short list top 5, Cliftons, Adelaide, South Australia

2008    Maestros and Apprentice Auction, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia

2007    Obsession, Studio Gallery Adelaide Central School of Art, Norwood, South Australia

2007    Central @25, Norwood Town Hall, Adelaide, South Australia

2007    Reverie, Tin Cat Café Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia

2006    Remnants: Surviving Traces, Tin Cat Café Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia

2005    Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder, Cherry Bomb Down, Adelaide, South Australia

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Shapes of The Future, Ted Snell, The Weekend Australian Review, May 9-10, 2009, pg 8,9

He Was The Best One I Saw, Nerinda Dunt, DB Magazine, Issue 454, November 26, 2008, pg 37

Cliftons Art Prize 2008, Artdate, Issue 86, June/July, 2008

Reverie, Maureen Gordon, Artdate, Issue 80, April, 2007

 

AWARDS AND PRIZES

2022    Highly Commended, Redland Art Award, Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, Queensland

2021    Finalist, Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Queensland

2021    Finalist, Lethbridge Landscape Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Queensland

2009    Finalist, Kenilworth Art Prize, Kenilworth Public Hall, Queensland

2008    Awarded ACSA scholarship

2007    Awarded ACSA scholarship

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2014    Painting Teacher, Ipswich Art Society, Ipswich, Queensland