Tamara Dean (b. 1976) turns the camera upon herself for High Jinks in the Hydrangeas, a series in which the Australian photomedia artist takes on the roles of director, subject and image-maker. In some shots, her body is submerged within massive pink blooms. For others, she clings onto bending branches, seeming to defy gravity. This is Dean’s most personal collection to date. “The figure moving through these landscapes became the woman I aspired to be: one who could fly, shoot an arrow, climb trees and clap clouds of thunder. Yet, she was also vulnerable and curious, introverted and gentle. During editing, I expected to confront my body with the same criticisms I would ordinarily inflict upon myself. Instead, I saw something I had never recognised before: courage, agility, humour and strength.” Her show The Garden includes new works where boundaries between self and landscape dissolve further. It opens at Michael Reid, Sydney, in February 2027. michaelreid.com.au | @tamaradean
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Tamara Dean, Introversion, (2021). Image courtesy of the artist.
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Tamara Dean, The Dancer, (2022). Image courtesy of the artist.
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Tamara Dean, High Jinks in the Hydreangeas, (2021). Image courtesy of the artist
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Tamara Dean, I wrap my face in her cloak of petals and breathe deeply, (2021). Image courtesy of the artist.
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Tamara Dean, Tickled Pink, (2021). Image courtesy of the artist.
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