Tyrrel Thaysen
Tyrrel is a mixed media, multidisciplinary artist born in rural, Belvedere, Knysna in 1969. A descendant of farmworkers and blue-collar workers in apartheid South Africa. He is concerned mainly with issues of self, where he finds himself going in cycles in his inner life which manifests in certain thinking and behaviours as a coping mechanism. He represents his family in his work's and has found peace in spirituality and our creator.
Tyrrel forms assemblages through a layering of materials inspired by Hollywood fashion and celebrity lifestyle. This stems from his upbringing that a good physical appearance is key to successful engagement in life. His images mainly portraiture appear to have gone through many life events, an internal narrative. And have emerged wiser and more capable. Thaysen graduated from the Michaelis School of fine art with a national diploma in fine art. As a undergraduate he won a national drawing competition held by the AVA gallery, and graduated with a first in sculpture. Consequently winning the Montague White bursary.
A numerous participant in Thupelo workshops, locally, on the African continent and abroad. Winning the second annual Vermont Studio center Triangle Arts Residency fellowship program. Prior to this he was a finalist at the Brett Kebble Art Awards for three years in four different categories. A resident artist at Greatmore Studio's for several years. Tyrrel has had two solo exhibitions at the AVA gallery. Currently he has a work on loan at Zeitz Mocaa Museum. Represented in corporate and private collections both locally and abroad. Employed as a visual artist on a freelance basis by Spierartstrust for the last seventeen years. Residing and working in Summergreens Milnerton, Cape Town.
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