Studio Visit

Tiel Seivl-Keevers

Brisbane artist Tiel Seivl-Keevers reveres nature – its bloom as much as its decay. Her latest body of work, entitled ‘Infinite Memories’, opens at Boom Gallery in Geelong this Friday September 9th. The exhibition features a range of her distinctive, multilayered works on wood, canvas and paper.

Our Brisbane team Jo Hoban and Mindi Cooke recently visited Tiel in her home studio in Brisbane’s west.

Written
by
Jo Hoban

The Brisbane work space of multidisciplinary artist Tiel Seivl-Keevers. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Tiel making works for her upcoming show, opening at Boom Gallery in Geelong later this week. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Details from Tiel’s studio. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Tiel making works for her upcoming show opening at Boom Gallery in Geelong later this week. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Tiel’s layered painting process.  Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Details from Tiel’s studio. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Details from Tiel’s studio. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Tiel’s studio, surrounded by nature. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

The home studio of Brisbane-based artist Tiel Seivl-Keevers. Photo – Mindi Cooke for The Design Files.

Writer
Jo Hoban
5th of September 2016

Artist Tiel Seivl-Keevers works from a home studio set amid glorious mature trees and tropical plant life, at one end of her family’s property in Brisbane’s west. She channels the energy of this unique environment into her art practice, combining observations of the natural world with her own memories and experiences.

Tiel chose a creative path early on, completing a Visual Arts degree majoring in printmaking, and experimenting with ‘computer arts’ when it was an emerging field. Upon graduating, she worked in the design sector then swiftly fell into teaching due to a sea change. This led to many years of teaching art in TAFE and Universities in Queensland and Victoria, before settling in Brisbane to raise her family.

A return to her personal practice saw Tiel embrace her fine arts foundations – working without computers – which she considers to be an incredibly important part of how she works today. ‘Over the years I’ve worked as a graphic designer, an illustrator, a textile designer, and now I guess I’m an artist. I never thought I’d be a painter!’

Tiel’s dream-like paintings combine layers of blended colour and texture, with more defined depictions of plants or patterns found in nature. Her works are reminiscent of blurred memories, dotted with moments of clarity. ‘I try to capture the experience of a journey to a scenic place,’ she mentions. ‘It’s about analysing the memory and feelings experienced in a moment, and trying to reflect the essence of it all.’

Working mainly with acrylic paints, Tiel also incorporates mixed media such as oils, pastels, inks and engraving into her works. She admits a penchant for paper and wood, because she can etch the surfaces with a blade or needle.

Recently Tiel has also developed a collaboration called ttmade with ceramic artist, Tracy Dickason. Tracy makes the vessels and Tiel decorates the surfaces. ‘I’m using very familiar printmaking techniques like sgraffito, and enjoying the challenge of applying my marks to a different surface’ Tiel says.

Infinite Memories by Tiel Seivl-Keevers
9th September until 8th October 2016
Boom Gallery
11 Rutland Street
Newtown, Geelong

You can also purchase Tiel’s artworks from The Modern Furniture Store in Brisbane, Art Images Gallery in Adelaide, and her website.

Recent Studio Visit