Springs artist to showcase her work in New York
The local artist has been selected to showcase her work at a prestigious art fair in New York City.
Taryn Drazek with some of the art she has produced over the years.
Local visual artist Taryn Drazek has been invited to showcase her work at The Armory Show in New York City, Springs Advertiser reports.
This prestigious art fair showcases work from over 200 international galleries, and receives over 65 000 visitors annually.
READ MORE: Cape Town gallery showcasing modern African art opens
Drazek’s work was found online by a Swiss gallery.
“They sent me an invite to showcase my work and at first I thought it was one of those email scams, but then I did a bit of research and found out it was real.
“I was silent about it for about two weeks but then my mum knew and she put it on Facebook,” says Drazek.
The 30-year-old artist is thrilled about the exhibition of her work in The Armory Show.
This painting was inspired by the end of her mother’s journey with chemotherapy. “A recent development is that I have become more interested in beautifying what is seen as destruction,” says Drazek.
“I’m very excited about it.
“It’s a big deal,” says Drazek.
The artwork selected formed part of Drazek’s honours thesis, which focused on identities, mutations and dis-identification.
Her multicultural background, which includes a Polish father and a Greek mother, was the inspiration behind her work.
Drazek describes the journey of making this art as a cathartic journey of self-discovery.
“In this globalisation era, there’s a sort of cultural schizophrenia which has led to some people feeling a bit lost.
“I wanted to break through those barriers, that not everything needs to be classified or fit nicely into a singular box.
“Lots of different pieces can also make a beautiful whole,” says Drazek.
The local artist is so grateful for the support from Springs over the years, who have helped stimulate her talent in so many ways.
Drazek is looking for support to raise funds to go to New York.
The art fair will take place from 8 to 11 March.
Drazek hopes this exhibition will lead to more opportunities to express herself and enable her to reach greater heights with her art.
“I thought I had reached the peak and then this happens.
“There’s just no end to artistry,” says Drazek.
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