Tanya Richards

University of Western Sydney - The Caretaker’s Cottage, Building KDR
Cloaked, Caught and Carefree | 16 June – 7 July 2007

My current art practice has revolved around an exploration of the multiplicity of self. It works on the premise that the individual consists of multiple selves that are necessary in the individual’s ability to cope with the forced façades of the everyday. In other words, it allows us to cope with the rules of society/culture/the everyday and still maintain the freedom of individuality and not be controlled by that which conforms and conditions us. Issues of gender identity and my own experience of constructing self have acted as a focus point for my investigation of multiple selves. These core concepts have been realised and explored through video, performance and installation art using my experience as a professional aerialist to inform my studio practice.