Talia Blank is an Australian multimedia artist in our radar for a while. We instantly connected with her work and getting to know her over zoom was delightful. She showed us her studio in Tel Aviv. We were in our favorite garden in Paris.

  • Q. Tell us about yourself and how you came to be an artist…

  • A. I have always loved storytelling and experimenting with different forms to communicate. I'm interested in exploring our physical world and internal world within. I haven’t stopped drawing since the day I learned how to hold a pencil. By the age of 10, I began teaching myself how to create videos through youtube. My creativity was greatly encouraged by my parents and shaped by the women in my life. My mother read to me every night, and I was enchanted by the illustrations. Growing up, we lived in quite a few different places and no matter where we were, my mother would always set up this circular green drawing table, creating a sense of home. Nature walks with my grandmother taught me to appreciate the quiet magic in life. She also introduced me to the concept of soulmates, created plays with the grandkids and asked us deep questions. When asked what the meaning of life was, at the age of 5, I responded that god just wants us to have fun. Additionally, my aunt, an art teacher, revolutionized my artistic perspective. She taught me that art is a practice where chaos can be embraced, inner emotions can be expressed, and authentic painting can thrive. She is a walking encyclopedia of art history and I am very grateful to have her as a mentor.

  • Q. What is your creative process ?

  • A. I create intuitively. Sometimes it doesn’t really feel like a choice. I create by surrendering to my body: I hear words and feel impulses. My brain is also constantly analyzing what to do.

  • Q. Your main character trait?

  • A. Curiosity

  • Q. Describe your work in three words...

  • A. Honest, playful, raw

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  • Q. How do you feel about the mix of words and text with painting in your practice ?

  • A. I think text adds a playful and somewhat rebellious element to fine art. In a way it’s almost vandalizing your own work. I also like how it creates new meaning and can connect to an audience that sometimes feels intimidated to understand the art world.

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"When asked what the meaning of life was at the age of 5, I responded that god just wants us to have fun"

  • Q. Your favorite color ?

  • A. Oooo tough one. Blue and green make me feel peaceful.

  • Q. The questions of the self and the identity are recurring themes in your practice, why?

  • A. I learned that in order to understand any literature, one must understand the author’s context. I feel like before I can make any comment on any subject in the world, I have to first explore the lens in which I am seeing from. I also think understanding the self you are working with is part of the spiritual path. And the more you understand about yourself, the more you can let go of and enjoy this life.

  • Q. What is your relationship to religion, and has spirituality influenced your practice?

  • I was raised Jewish and always felt a strong connection to life, but my perception of God differed from what I was taught in school. At first, I dismissed this aspect of myself as "crazy," until I discovered its name: spirituality. This awakening sparked a fascination with the mind, body, and soul, leading me to explore various philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism, and study the works of Alan Watts, Sam Harris and Ram Dass. Spirituality has liberated my art, allowing for an intuitive and vulnerable approach—it's like a self-workshop. My creative expression is a conversation with the divine, – or if the word "god" gives you the heebie jeebies, you can think of it as a connection to the universe, source, or infinite love. Inspiration flows during daily walks and meditations, guiding me to express shared human experiences through raw emotions. To me, spirituality involves understanding our essence beyond societal narratives. Raised with certain gender expectations from religion, I once struggled to reconcile my identity as a "nice Jewish girl" with my desire for exploration. However, as I deepen my spiritual understanding, I feel less confined by specific labels. I also laugh, because while I occasionally challenge religion, I acknowledge that questioning is at the core of my Jewish heritage. My artistic practice is a journey of growth, with a recognition that I am forever learning and evolving.

  • Q. Who are some contemporaries or figures in art history who have influenced you?

  • A. I am influenced by Egon Schiele, David Shrigley, Matisse, Luke Edward Hall and Erik Winkowski to name a few.

  • Q. What makes you laugh?

  • A. Life itself. The universe is hilarious. Also I think my friends and family are comedic geniuses.

  • Q. What do you enjoy the most about your friends ?

  • A. My friends have big hearts and brilliant minds. They are my favourite people to discuss all matters with — the dumb, the profound and the personal. I also think each one of my friends have a different perspective, so I really value their unique opinions.

  • Q. If you could have diner with anyone dead or alive?

  • A. This is a hard question— There are so many people that I would love to talk to. If I can’t have a week of dinners, here is my final list: dinner with Moses and Ricky Gervais. Then we will all meet up with Queen and Cleopatra later.

  • Q. Are you experiencing any blocks in you practice right now ?

  • A. Good question. I think my use of social media can impact my practice. Art is the act of observing but sometimes I feel overloaded by too much information and feel overwhelmed rather than creative.

  • Q. Your dream of happiness ?

  • A. Surrounded by good hearts and minds, making art, in nature.

  • Q. What makes you excited about the future?

  • A. Expanding with the world. Also all the music I will find.

  • Q. Current state of mind ?

  • A. Grateful.

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