Tahnee Lonsdale is a London-based artist who is making quite a name for herself. Shortlisted for ’100 painters of tomorrow’ and the Dazed and Confused emerging artist award as well as a recent mention in The Telegraph newspaper article ‘How to buy tomorrow’s Damien Hirsts’. definitely an artist to follow and we can see why. Her engaging artwork mixes humour alongside the profundity of life and it’s meaning, the constant quest for answers. Vibrant colours, symbolic complexity, melancholy and a personal influences are all evident.
Widely exhibited with work also in places such as The Hyatt Regency London in their Spring Fever collection, a vibrant new exhibition of emerging artists comprising a selection of works from Saatchi Art on display throughout the hotel’s lobby, reception and restaurant areas. We were actually lucky to view Tahnee’s compelling work in person.
Tahnee’s art is not restricted to the canvas she has recently collaborated with a number of people to create products with her artwork, Purling chess sets which Tahnee hand paints, Lucas High feature her Babel print on a range of high-end sportswear and Mercy Delta produce scarves. Interesting times ahead we really are very excited to see what the future holds for Tahnee.
Self taught or art school?
I went to Byam Shaw School of art for both my Foundation and degree. I originally started out at Kingston but hated it, so packed it in after a term and went travelling for a year before re-applying.
I Used To Go To Church, Now I’m Just Confused
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
This is a very difficult question! I could either go for a Picasso, ‘The Dream’ is a striking painting, that would be good hanging above the mantelpiece! Or one of Doig’s Canoe series. I also love ‘The Studio’ by Philip Guston.
Kafka’s Forest Duplex
How would you describe your style?
One foot in the abstract and one in the almost real. Illustrative and colour intuitive.
Model Life Kit
Where are your favourite places to view art?
I love the vastness of galleries such as MOMA and Tate, but my favourite space has always been the haunch of Venison. I also love The Riflemaker gallery. It’s history is still so present in the walls and floors.
Palace In The Cyprus Trees
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Living artists, Eddie Martinez, Rose Wylie. I love the way Wylie tells a story through her paintings, and her naïve, oversized figures. Martinez had an incredible style, and I love the contrast of his colours and his illustrative under sketching. I also love Cy Twombly’s freeness and abandon.
Punch and Gladstone
What or who inspires your art?
Shop windows, street art, markings on a wall or on the pavement, thing’s people say, people’s faces I pass in the street, other people’s art, other people’s palettes.
Search For The Holy Grail
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I have my studio in my loft at home, it’s too small though so I am currently looking for a space. I’m in Kensal Rise and I have a great view of london, but most of the walls are sloped so there’s not much workable space.
The Kiss
Do you have any studio rituals?
As soon as the kids are out of the house I make tea, check emails, procrastinate until I have no more excuses not to get started, and then I eventually get painting, but I tend to potter around a lot first, tidying and moving things around until I’m happy with the space. I normally get into my swing in the afternoon, by which time the kids are home and I have to stop working!
The Three Of Us
What are you working on currently?
A continuation of my last collection. I have a few paintings on the go, a large work on paper which is nearly finished, a half oil half acrylic painting which is causing me all sorts of problems, and a few smaller works on paper which I love as they are so free and spontaneous.
Tiger My Love
Where can we buy your art?
You can by it directly through me www.tahneelonsdale.com
www.saatchiart.com or through DegreeArt.com
What are your ambitions?
To keep painting For my style to continue to evolve and improve. To be able to support myself through sales of my work, and to get representation from an amazing gallery that suites my style of work.
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