BIO
C.V LINK
Australian born artist Tania Wursig is of Romani, Finnish and German heritage and has been based in both Sydney and Tahiti for more than a decade.
Primarily a figurative and portrait painter, Wursig's work can best be described as a celebration of life, nature and the 'feminine'. "I am drawn to subjects and places that celebrate feminine power in its truest essence." Her paintings are imbued with strong cultural influences inspired by her travels and in particular her exposure to the Tahitian people and traditions.
A graduate of Sydney College of the Arts, majoring in fashion and textile design, Wursig experiments with the textural possibilities of painting on collaged surfaces of textiles, coconut husk, postcards and various ephemera collected on her travels. These grounds add narrative to the paintings connecting the subjects with culture and place.
"My passion for art and love of nature has always been paramount. As a young child, painting and drawing was how I played. My mother was a prominent Fibre Artist who always encouraged my “art play.” My maternal grandmother also helped pave my creative journey; a somewhat eccentric character, she was a yoga teacher and nature lover who lived mostly off the foods she grew in her wild garden, which she nurtured like a work of art." (In Her Studio magazine - August 2021)
Having a dynamic career that spans more than 3 decades, some of Wursig's career highlights include: Selected as feature artist in 2023 exhibiting 25 large scale works in the international departure lounge at the Aeroport de Tahiti, Faa'a; Selected finalist and winner of the 2022 Poeple's Choice Award in the 2022 Portia Geach Memorial award; selected to exhibit in the 2021 Archibald Salon des Refusés, winning the 2021 Holding Redlich People's Choice Award; directing and curating her own Gallery, (Gallery Aloft, 2007-2013); residencies in Paris, Barcelona and Budapest; and an annual 3-month painting and teaching residency in Tahiti, which she now refers to as her second home.
Wursig has a strong loyal following and her paintings are held in private collections worldwide including France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, U.K. USA, Hawaii, and Tahiti. Public collections include; Cellar de Can Ginestar in Barcelona, the M.O.M Gallery in Budapest, Sofitel Tahiti, Le Taha'a resort, Le Pearl Resort Bora Bora and Boutique Hinano Tahiti.
TAHITI
"Having had the great privilege to live in Tahiti for extended periods has opened my eyes and my heart to the importance of 'earth connection' and connection to culture. Over this time I have been fortunate to meet and learn from several cultural leaders and immerse myself in the richness of Tahiti's authentic traditions, which has become my primary source of inspiration."
In 2011 Tania Wursig was given the opportunity by Tahiti Tourisme Australia and Le Meridien Tahiti to live as artist in residence for 2 - 3 months each year.
"If you told me 10–15 years ago that I would be living and painting in Tahiti three months each year, I would have said, “You’re nuts!” Well this, fortunately, turned out to be true. In 2011 I was offered a fully sponsored three-month artist’s residency on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti. Ever since, I have returned annually to explore the islands, paint, gather inspiration, and conduct international painting workshops and art classes for locals. My exposure to the Polynesian people and culture has changed the course of my inspiration, my career, and my life most profoundly. Living with and experiencing the Tahitians’ way of life has opened my eyes and reconnected my heart to the importance of nature and connection to place and culture." (In Her Studio Magazine - August 2021)