About
Tanya Mascarenhas is an artist and writer based in the U.K. She holds a B.A. in History of Art from Goldsmiths University. Tanya’s interest in the arts began at a young age, which developed through frequent museum visits. Tanya’s artworks are expressive depictions of friends, family and unknown figures that are derived from personal meanings, drawing on both collective and individual histories. Collectivity is seen in the shrared activities between people and places, which become universally recognisable. Questions about identity are raised through the pertinent presence of faces and bodies, which are linked to wider notions of culture and history, referencing artworks from art history, cultural landmarks such as museums and personal heritage. The studies of people are taken from archival photographs which are reimagined on the surface of the canvas, holding evolving meaning both to the artist and viewers through layers of oil paint. Tanya’s usical influences include jazz and hip-hop, which form part of the narrative observed in artworks. Each moment is reinterpreted in a fluid and engaging way, expressing the potential for life, for dance, and for celebration.
Tanya’s work has been exhibited at Roman Road Gallery ‘At Home With...’ exhibition in 2022, Shoreditch Arts Club ‘Exactly AI’ exhibitions, 2023 and 2024, Slash Arts Ukraine Fundraising Auction, 2022, National Portrait Gallery BP Portrait Award, ‘Next Gen’ exhibition, 2019.