Artwork next to the Meander River. Image courtesy Chris Crerar
It would seem that our country’s finest artists are heading south for their inspiration.
Tasmania is now home to the second-highest number of artists per capita in Australia and has experienced significant growth across the creative industries in the last decade.
The number of people working as an artist, musician, writer or performer in the state has doubled from 2011 to 2021.
To celebrate and showcase this creativity, Tourism Tasmania has launched TasmanAi, an image generator with a twist.
Instead of instant images, the generator results in ‘real’ artworks such as paintings, illustrations and drawings, by leading and emerging Tasmanian artists.
The concept is straightforward. You simply submit a prompt with your artistic idea and each of the artists will pick their favourite suggestion. If your prompt is chosen, you will receive the original piece of artwork in the mail.
Nine Tassie artists including the youngest-ever winner of the Glover Prize, Josh Foley, will be involved in the promotion.
The initiative is backed by the Tasmanian Visitor Survey (June 2023) which showed that more than 87% of leisure visitors visit a museum or gallery, with 50% of all visitors browsing or purchasing art.
From contemporary galleries showcasing cutting-edge works and charming artisan studios to lengthy sculptural trails, Tasmania offers a plethora of experiences for all art lovers.
Tasmanian tiger sculpture, image courtesy Stu-Gibson
HOW TO GET YOUR ART FIX IN TASMANIA
The Henry Jones Art Hotel – Palawa Connection: Stories with Allan Mansell (running till end of April).
Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Allan Mansell shares stories of his life as an Aboriginal person, his connection to place and his genetic memory for the past through his artwork and storytelling.
During a live demonstration at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, Allan will talk about his journey which led him to become a printmaker and will walk guests through his sustainable, clean form of printmaking.
Allan has created an exclusive print for this experience, his representation of nipaluna (Hobart) before and after. Available only to visitors who join Allan on this experience, Before and After will be offered for purchase.
Huon Valley Art Trail
This annual event features a range of different artists and makers throughout the Huon Valley who will be opening their studio doors to share their unique creations.
Start the trail in Crabtree and make your way through Lucaston, Ranelagh, Huonville, Petcheys Bay, Cygnet, Glen Huon, Franklin, Geeveston, Waterloo and Dover.
On the trail you’ll find sculpture, woodwork, photography, painting, print making, drawing, mixed media, public art, furniture, instruments, jewellery, ceramics, metalwork and textiles.
Battery Point Sculpture Trail
Start from the impressive Georgian sandstone warehouses of Salamanca and follow the trail along the waterfront to the picturesque Hobart suburb of Battery Point.
GASP! Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park
A 10-minute drive north of Hobart’s CBD, this dynamic project showcases temporary and permanent art that focuses on working with the environment.
Art of Western Wilds
This display is comprised of three installations, each inspired by a story from the region.
In the 1,300 convex mirrors in Forest Specular, reflect on the activists who campaigned to stop the damming of the Franklin River. See Bitumen Bones at the foot of the Sentinel Range and prepare for the confronting image of The Extinction Story, an artwork depicting the trapping of a Tasmanian tiger.
Art Farm Birchs Bay
Explore art in the landscape on this 2km trail. There’s an eclectic mix of installations inspired by the environment – birds, whales, flowers and fruit – and plenty of sculpted seats along the way.
Sheffield – Town of Murals
This small town in the foothills of Mount Roland in the north-west features more than 140 murals depicting the history of the region, including the Tasmanian tiger and pioneers from the past such as Cradle Mountain champion Gustav Weindorfer.
Sculpture Trail – Great Western Tiers
This is a series of sculptures in and around Deloraine in northern Tasmania which is a 30-minute drive west of Launceston and a 40-minute drive southeast of Devonport.
Follow the trail through the streets of Deloraine and along the banks of the Meander River to sites including Marakoopa Cave, King Solomons Cave, Alum Cliffs, Devils Gullet and Mole Creek.
Design Centre Tasmania, image courtesy Chris Crerar
Sawtooth ARI Gallery
This artist-run initiative in Launceston showcases contemporary and experimental art by local, interstate and international artists at various stages of their professional careers.
ART ARK HQ
Enjoy an impressive collection of Aboriginal art and educational resources with a clear and transparent focus on ethical trading. Working exclusively with community-run, not-for-profit Aboriginal art centres, ART ARK shares its passion for Aboriginal art with visitors.
Jane Seychell Artist Gallery | Studio | Art Space
While visiting the east coast, drop in and see award-winning original colour pencil artworks. It also supports local artists by offering various art pieces, prints, greeting cards and even art supplies catering to a diverse audience, from art enthusiasts to professionals seeking materials for their craft.
dAda mUse
This is an art gallery that celebrates Dadaism and surrealism, housing Australia’s largest collection of Salvador Dali works on paper. All but 100 of his known pieces are displayed here, some for the first time publicly.
While artworks from other artists will be shown periodically at dAda mUse (to the likes of Goya, Durix and Kujau) it is the Salvador Dalí collection that is exceptional.
Both Dadaism and Surrealism used shock, the juxtaposition of everyday objects and humour to create abstract imagery with Dalí putting this to the test.
For more information on TasmanAi, visit: discovertasmania.com.au/tasmanai
