Tamlin Blake is a professional multi-media South African artist. A central theme of Blake’s work is a concern with cross-cultural South African symbols of wealth and status. More recently she has become interested in what constitutes and underpins each individual’s sense of belonging and identity. She is influenced by her rural surroundings and the communities who live and work there. A prominent aspect of Blake’s work is her fascination with materials and manipulating new mediums in ways which take them past the merely decorative or prosaic. She was instrumental in developing beading techniques which are now used by various South African artists with the help of the bead studio Qubeka. Her own recent work consists of tapestries woven from re-cycled hand-spun newspaper.
Cheiridopsis Meyeri
Newspaper Tapestry, Fabric and Foam Core Board
51x54cm
Morning Coffee
Newspaper Tapestry
120x163cm
Clothed in the Sun
Recycled Newspaper Tapestry, Plexiglass
115x115cm
The Wormwood Star
Recycled Newspaper Tapestry, Plexiglass
115x115cm
Stealing Beauty
Hand Cut Stone on Nutec Board
53x43cm
Images and Biography Sourced From:
https://www.everard-read.co.za/
My Thoughts:
Tamlin's work is a prime example of how world issues affect how we approach the creative process. Landfills are a worldwide issue and some countries may be way ahead of the game by instilling a culture of recycling others lag behind.
Artists highlight the and bring attention to the problem by using trash and turning into beautiful works of art. Tamlin not only recycles trash, but also takes an old medium or craft of tapestry and makes it new and modern.
It's this point that I really want to discuss, craft. I'm not even sure where to begin, I have so many thoughts and opinions on this...so just bear with me here.
The first is. In this country, South Africa, we have a rich culture of traditional craft, but it is seldom recognized as art. To the point where it becomes rather snubbed. My issue with this, is that most art stems originally from some form of craft...or perhaps I'm wrong. I will admit there is good craft and not so good craft just as there is good art and not so good art, but surely we should be giving craft the same measure of respect that we do to 'fine art'.
The second is. At what point does craft cross the line and become art. Is there some invisible line that I'm not unaware of or are there specific criteria? If so, can someone fill me in on what they are.
Surely a countries traditional craft that shows said countries culture should be showcased and shown with pride of place, because it carries so much of a countries history.
Third is. I don't know about the rest of the world, but in this country so many traditional skills and techniques are being lost, largely because young people are not interested in it. I think in my mind, I feel that if you as a country don't respect those skills and techniques then why would youngsters be interested. If we changed our mind set and upheld these skills with the respect they deserve then maybe, just maybe, young people would show more respect and perhaps learn these dying skills.
Artists like Tamlin who recreate old craft skills, using new ideas or concepts bring new interest in old skills and this is so important, giving it new life and uplifting 'craft' to 'art'.
Lastly. If you look at Tamlin's final image which is a mosaic, it really makes me think. Mosaic has been used as an art medium starting in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC. Pebble mosaics were made in Tiryns in Mycenean Greece; mosaics with patterns and pictures became widespread in classical times, both in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Mosaic was a well respected art form and at some point it was relogated to a craft form. Here Tamlin creates a mosaic that is undoubtedly modernized and is considered art again.
I am seeing a trend in this country at least, where artists are using traditional crafts within their very modern conceptual art works, tapestry, embroidery, crochet and bead work.
So here's my request or plea. Do not allow traditional craft skills to be lost, we can learn a lot from these techniques.
Look around you in your country, what traditional skills are being lost and how can you incorporate them in modern pieces.
PS I am unable to give any contact details for Tamlin as she doesn't seem to appear on social media, but she can be contacted through the gallery: https://www.everard-read.co.za/
