The State Of Things So Held by Mia Taninaka
Byron Bay-based artist Mia Taninaka explores the themes of motherhood and the concepts of macrocosm-microcosm in her latest dreamlike body of work, The State of Things So Held at Yeah, Nice Gallery.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
‘I’ve been painting and drawing since I can remember- it’s always been a huge part of my life. My love and appreciation for my creative outlets has definitely grown,‘ says Mia Taninaka. Photo: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
The State of Things So Held by Mia Taninaka at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay. Photo: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
Mia Taninaka creates dreamlike paintings that embody elements of mysticism and spirituality through fine lines and expansive colour.
Having spent the last five years stepping away from her art practice to focus on motherhood to raise her three beautiful boys, Mia has recently returned to the studio.
‘I started on this collection about 4 months ago – it was the fist time in a long time that I'd been able to dedicate a solid amount of time and energy to create a whole new body of work,’ says Mia.
The collection, The State of Things So Held, which is currently exhibiting at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay, is her return to being completely immersed into her practice.
‘This was a great opportunity to experiment with something new and to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone – so my process behind the new works was really to go into the unknown.’
Inspired by delving into various books by Terrence McKenna and Rudolph Steiner - who both explore the concepts of macrocosm-microcosm - Mia was able to dive deep into ‘big exciting rabbit holes to blow my mind and help splash some colour on the blank canvas.’
Motherhood, and its lessons on how to be strong yet soft at once, was another theme explored by the artist, ‘It's been a wild journey having three boys over the past eight years, so to be back in the studio almost full-time was a nice reflection on how much has changed both around and within me.’
Having recently attended an oils workshop with artist Amber Wallace, Mia decided to experiment with the new-found medium for this series.
‘It was daunting and challenging and way out of my comfort zone, but also so rewarding and exciting to do something new.’
The finished works have a dreamlike and delicate feel. ‘I loved the rich colour tones and being able to move the paint around, blending and bleeding into each other, the oils really allowed me to express my softer, feminine qualities. I’m really looking forward to getting to know oils better, I feel like I’m just scratching the surface!’
We can’t wait to see what’s next for this bright, fast-rising star.
‘I have a much better understanding now of how beneficial creativity is for my state of mind, being in the studio is definitely my happy place,’ says Mia Taninaka. Photo: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
Pictured from left: Earthing and Speaking in Flowers by Mia Taninaka. Photo: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
“My love and appreciation for my creative outlets has definitely grown, I have a much better understanding now of how beneficial it is for my state of mind. Being in the studio is definitely my happy place.”
Mia Taninaka at the opening night of her latest exhibition The State of Things So Held at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay. Photo: Courtesy of Yeah, Nice Gallery
THE STATE OF THINGS SO HELD
FRIDAY 21ST JANUARY - FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY
4 Acacia Street, Byron Bay Industrial Estate, NSW