Tanya Morel’s work is mainly figurative, exploring the human condition with a darkly comic eye. Originally trained as an actor, Tanya worked for some years in touring theatre and independent film production before graduating from Falmouth University with a 1st class BA Hons in Fine Art. Unsurprisingly, given her background in storytelling, she is compelled to make work with a strong narrative. She finds inspiration in books, fairy tales, films, museum collections, curiosities, and is definitely drawn to the past. Recent work includes a series of aquatints and montotypes (drawn freehand with white spirit into black ink) of images made from vintage photos and film stills, mainly depicting women in traditional costume and historical settings. These works are an attempt to capture atmosphere and intent. They are portraits of sorts, little glimpses of the domestic and societal restraints of women’s lives. Her work has previously been described as wryly melancholic which she likes, for there is almost always humour to be found, even in the darkest tales. Tanya’s work has been shown at the RWA, Bristol (Drawn & Open), Bankside Gallery (National Original Print Show), Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, SWA Exeter, Theatre Royal Plymouth and the Cape Cod Museum of Contemporary Art. She lives and works in Devon, UK.
Tanya Morel’s work is mainly figurative, exploring the human condition with a darkly comic eye. Originally trained as an actor, Tanya worked for some years in touring theatre and independent film production before graduating from Falmouth University with a 1st class BA Hons in Fine Art. Unsurprisingly, given her background in storytelling, she is compelled to make work with a strong narrative. She finds inspiration in books, fairy tales, films, museum collections, curiosities, and is definitely drawn to the past. Recent work includes a series of aquatints and montotypes (drawn freehand with white spirit into black ink) of images made from vintage photos and film stills, mainly depicting women in traditional costume and historical settings. These works are an attempt to capture atmosphere and intent. They are portraits of sorts, little glimpses of the domestic and societal restraints of women’s lives. Her work has previously been described as wryly melancholic which she likes, for there is almost always humour to be found, even in the darkest tales. Tanya’s work has been shown at the RWA, Bristol (Drawn & Open), Bankside Gallery (National Original Print Show), Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, SWA Exeter, Theatre Royal Plymouth and the Cape Cod Museum of Contemporary Art. She lives and works in Devon, UK.