About

Taya De La Cruz uses detailed, minuscule handwriting as a way of methodically distilling chaos into order. She invites the viewer to move closer to the work and uncover the layers of narrative. The concept of the written word is expanded and redefined by its intention, which is not necessarily legibility, but representation as a form of its own.

Taya’s work is thematically centred around the human brain, and how we respond to life’s challenging events. She is particularly inspired by the psychology of overcoming hardship, and mindset required for elite performance. She focuses on finding light in the dark; difficult circumstances are made approachable and even beautiful.

Her art encourages introspection and reevaluation.


ARTIST BIO

Taya’s artistic approach serves as an antidote to the modern expectations of pace, achievement and results. Each labour-intensive piece visually articulates the considerable amount of time taken to create it, and reinforces the message of slowing down and being present. The ultimate relationship with time.

She created a new technique of painting, using medical-grade syringes and needles, which allow her to work with paint on a microscopic level.

Taya is a half-Spanish, half-Indian Londoner who was raised in sleepy southern Spain and educated in Gibraltar. She trained as an actress, and expanded her discipline into visual art.


Influences

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Jackson Pollock

His pieces look so wonderfully tactile. If it wouldn't get me arrested, I would just love to run my hands all over them and feel his expression on the canvas. His work speaks to that visceral, inner child in me who just wants to get her hands dirty and experiment. So far removed from who I have grown up to be.

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Bridget Riley

I love the power her pieces command with such simplicity in composition. I keep coming back to her work when I find myself "over designing" my pieces, and usually simplify my ideas a few times before I am ready to start writing or painting them. She demonstrates beautifully how less really is more sometimes.

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Agnes Martin

I admire Agnes' unique gift of storytelling with minimal form. I don't see her pieces, I feel them. To me, they feel like gentle, benevolent, supportive friends. They don't shout, they whisper, and in this fast-paced modern world, it's a welcome difference in message.