Tané Andrews has a remarkable creative output for somebody so young. He is already a WA Fashion Award winner with his collaborative fashion label Of Cabbages & Kings, and is regarded as one of the most sought after emerging artists in Western Australia.
It’s no surprise then that his current show, {RE-FORMATION} adapting impermanence at Venn Gallery, has been anticipated by art lovers and art collectors alike.
‘The title {RE-FORMATION} adapting impermanence came about because I wanted a title that referenced the idea that everything living is in constant movement, reforming and changing states,’ Andrews told OUTinPerth of the title of his new show, which features drawings and kinetic sculptures.
‘The works in this show are explorations of transience, displaying a beauty and fragility that marks the progression and deterioration of life.’
His drawings are created through stippling. They are literally compiled of thousands of dots. It takes Andrews an hour to produce a 2cm square area, due in part to the fineness of the pen used and the weight of the mark it makes.
‘The method I use, I have developed over many years. I remember as a child my Dad showed me a printed line under a microscope, and how it was made up of tiny single pixels. I think this was the first time I began to explore the idea of using only dots to create a form.
‘The works in the {RE-FORMATION} show have taken me a year to create.
‘I draw everyday for at least four hours and on my days off my other job I draw for eight. Hopefully the time and care spent is visible in the final works.’
When asked if the stippling process induces a meditative state, Andrews admits that in part it does, but overall he remains fully conscious of each dot, no matter how labourious the task.
‘I’m always aware of what I’m working on, I never drift too far. But often after eight hours of drawing in the same position I become really sore, so I have to work past the pain and keep going.
‘I also listen to music when I draw so often I find myself becoming involved and lost in the music, which is a part of the process I really enjoy.’
What is of interest in this new collection of works are the kinetic sculptures. In this context, they refer to pieces that contain ‘moving parts’ or rely ‘on motion for its effect’.
‘The kinetic works in this exhibition are moving sculptural manifestation of the ideas featured throughout the show, the idea of “short lifeâ€: capturing a moment of life before it passes into death,’ Andrews explained.
‘I have been very lucky to be able to work with some very talented artists and engineers who have helped me realised these kinetic works, and I feel like they bring a new langue to my work and the show its self.’
Of course, the greatest admiration of Andrews artistic merit is not the fact that his ability transcends boundaries: he encompasses art, fashion, and visual merchandising, the latter visible at Dilettante pour Femme et Homme in the city.
It is the fact that he sets parameters around his artistic expression, deliberate limitations which yield the most amazing – and intriguing – results.
‘All three are produced using deliberate limitations: I use a restricted amount of materials, shade, tone, texture and proportion to develop a concept or idea.
‘I have always wanted to narrow my focus to solely produce art but I was waiting for the right time and opportunities. I feel this time is now.’
{RE-FORMATION} adapting impermanence by Tané Andrews runs at Venn Gallery until August 19, 2011.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
