Tamlin Blake

Born 1974
Lives and works in Riebeek West, Western Cape, South Africa

In her mixed media artworks, Tamlin explores the boundaries between fine art and what have been considered the more domesticated art forms weaving, sewing and beading. 

She is interested in what constitutes and underpins each individual’s sense of belonging and identity. This can be seen in the interplay of influences in her recycled newspaper tapestries, which visually and conceptually explore how stories weave themselves around us. The often seemingly surreal rise and fall of contemporary heroes, the successes and tragedies of ordinary people and the births and deaths of neighbours are part of the every day yet sometimes bazaar events which insinuate themselves into our reality and affect our thinking.

Tamlin is a South African mixed media artist and holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the University of Stellenbosch. She has exhibited extensively at home and abroad, has had eight solo exhibitions to date and is an associated artist with the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg. She is also the Chief Curator for the Spier Arts Trust.