Tiarna Herczeg

Interview with Lil Copland

Enmore Road, on a rainy Sunday morning, I catch up with Tiarna Herczeg in a little café that’s (slightly) less busy than the one we originally planned on meeting at. We order coffee and compare notes on our favourite tattoo artists in Sydney and beyond, lamenting the times we’d spent too much money— justifying it as forever art. Eventually we get to chatting about Tiarna’s art, painting, and sculpting abstract works that display intuitive connection to self and community, from her heritage as a Kuku Yalanji person.

Shot by Estelle Yoon

Could you give a brief overview of what you’ve been up to lately, and where you’ve worked your way from?

It’s been a really crazy journey. I started an Instagram page when I started at NAS. I thought, why don’t I just start sharing my artworks to see where it goes, and I could watch my own journey. I was renting in Sydney and lost my job. I couldn’t afford to stay, but then someone messaged me and was like, “Hey can I buy this artwork?”. I thought damn, I can sell? That’s crazy! I didn’t even know that was a thing. I started selling my work and then it kept growing. Then late last year, I got representation by Curatorial and Co. Recently I’ve had my solo show, that was in February. I’ve also been doing so many commissions behind the scenes which has been very cool.

Is there something that informs your art or art practice?

Definitely my energy. I feel like that’s what always inspires my work because I work really intuitively. My surroundings also impact my work. My mum suggested I fix up my garage and work there, but I can’t work in a garage. I need natural light and natural energy to like, tap into what I’m doing.

You work in a collective studio; do you get a lot of light in there? What’s the energy like?

I do have lots of natural light in my studio! And also, I have a really strong sense of community. That really adds to the energy. It’s an open studio but we’ve all got separate spaces. It’s really nice because everyone has a different medium they’re working on. It’s nice to bounce off each other.

That would give you a good sense of connection. What have been some joys and struggles of the creative scene in Sydney?

Nepotism has been a bit of a struggle. It can be who you know, not what you know— which can be really frustrating when you feel like you have potential but you’re not getting opportunities. In comparison to Naarm, it’s a bit better. Like their whole city is like, ‘We are creative’. It’s not really like that in Sydney, which is beautiful because it means when something is happening it's coming from a place of passion. That’s been a real joy. Also, the people who follow me on Instagram! I swear to god, I feel so lucky. I’ve even cried about it before! I’ve met some of the coolest people ever.

Sounds like community is a big part of your practice, has that been a highlight in your journey?

Not to sound cringe but connecting with so many people has been really beautiful. When I moved to Sydney, I didn’t know anyone at all, but being able to be surrounded by so many other like-minded people has really strengthened me in a lot of ways. Also using Instagram to meet so many Indigenous artists has been really nice to have my own mob happening here in Sydney where we can support each other. It’s been really beautiful.

Have you had any career highlights?

Probably gaining representation, that’s a really huge milestone. Especially without a degree— I never finished at NAS, but I have representation! It’s good because they can help me apply for things like residencies.

That would be cool! Have you done a residency before, or do you have a dream residency?

My idea of a residency right now is just, going back up to where my family’s from, in the Daintree Rainforest. When my Nan was a kid, they migrated to Laura, and some moved even further down to Rockhampton. I lived there for a bit when I was a kid, but I haven’t been up to Rocky in years. I want to go out there and see my great auntie who I’m really close with, and just paint and create. And take notes! That’s my idea of a residency.

Has there been anything else in your art practice that’s taken you by surprise?

I don’t think so. My work is like an extension of me. When I go to paint, I don’t even know where I’m going, I just go all in. I just get out all my colours— I have like a million in my studio. At the end of it, I’m learning from my work. I paint what I need. There was this period of time, I was painting lots of soft pinks and light greens. I was in a really stressful time, and a friend pointed out to me that I was tired and I was painting with lots of calming colours, because I needed calm!

Sounds like it helps you reveal what you’re feeling to yourself?

Yeah, absolutely!

Top 3 places in Sydney that inspire you?

1. Sitting at Sydney Harbour
2. Marrickville Library
3. Oxford Street

Who do you think is the most exciting young & emerging creative in Sydney?

Sean Crowley
@sean_r_crowley