The art of Hiromi Tango evolves organically from one project to the next, developing complex dialogues with environment and audience. Tango’s large-scale ‘performative installations’ are premised on the notion of interactivity, forging individual, social and cultural connections. Reacting to an age in which human relationships are being eclipsed by the globalisation and virtualisation of communication, the artist’s practice is often collaborative, performative and site-specific. Her immersive installations comprise vibrant sculptural accumulations of donated objects, materials and stories. They become mnemonic traces of feelings and interactions, and the ensuing catalysis of emotion and recognition forms the affective crux of her art. In this way, although Tango’s works are highly personal and autobiographical, they can also be read as universal tropes of collective experience.
Read MoreIn recent years, Tango’s practice has extended to creating collaborative works with her husband Craig Walsh, beginning in 2010 with Digital Odyssey – a Museum of Contemporary Art Regional Touring Project, and following with Home - Gwangju, Gwangju Biennale, South Korea (2012) and Traces - Blue, Setouchi Triennale (2013).
Tango has also undertaken major community engagement works as an individual artist, including Pistil, a sculptural site-specific installation that was created for Contemporary Australia: Women, Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery Of Modern (2012) and more recently being commissioned as the 2013 Jackson Bella Room Artist at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, where she created Dance, an immersive environment with soft forms growing up walls and across the floor and ceiling, and Hiromi Hotel : Moon Jellies, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre.
Other recent projects and exhibitions include Art Magic: The Climbing Plant, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (2015); Monster Hotel at the 'Out of the Box Festival' at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (2014); Hiromi Hotel – Mixed Blood at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s ‘Primavera’ (2011); Behind the Door at PICA (2010) and Hiromi Hotel at Mackay Art Farm (2009-2010).
Text courtesy Sullivan + Strumpf.
