Written By Tesha Malott

TAHLIA CURNOW
“PORTRAITS OVER THE YEARS”

ARTBOX FISHER LIBRARY, LEVEL 2 (2023)

Image: Installation view, Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. An unfolded concertina of ink illustrations. Hand drawn block text; "Portraits over the years, June 2020 to May 2022", with 9 small portrait illustrations in the middle.

Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Ink on paper. Images courtesy of Morgan Hogg.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Portraits Over the Years is a series of thirty ink drawings inspired by photographs taken of my family, friends, and myself over a 2-year period using the 0.5 iPhone lens. Presented on a handmade concertina, this collection of drawings intends to act as a gallery of multiple personalities, presenting my loved ones as comedic caricatures. The warped lens has the effect of exaggerating facial features, presenting those that mean the most to me with large foreheads, crooked noses, and elongated faces. I hope that this slightly strange, yet humorous exaggeration heightens the intensity of their emotional facial expressions, and sparks the imagination of the viewer, encouraging audiences to create backstories and envisage the personalities of the individuals presented. 

Image: Close up, Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Focus on ink drawing, a male figure with exaggerated facial features - bulging eyes, pointed chin and large head. Behind, on a different page, exagerrated portrait of two girls.

Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Ink on Paper. Images courtesy of Morgan Hogg.

 
Image: Close up, Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. 3 pages of ink portraits. Left to right, portrait of a girl with an exaggerated forehead, portrait of a figure sitting, portrait of a girl with curly hair with an exaggerated chin.

Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Ink on paper. Images courtesy of Morgan Hogg.

 
Image: Close up, Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Focus on a portrait of a man with an exaggerated chin and nose. Behind, a portrait exaggerating the mouth and a pointed chin.

Tahlia Curnow, Portraits Over the Years, 2023. Ink on paper. Images courtesy of Morgan Hogg.

 


Verge Projects is a platform that aims to strengthen the University of Sydney community and networks through on-campus art activations. Verge Projects delivers community engaged projects led by and in collaboration with student and student groups. Stepping outside of art faculties and spaces, this program encourages inclusive and creative experiences campus wide.

Tesha Malott
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