THENABADU, Tania

Artist Statement – Tania Thenabadu

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” – Pablo Picasso

From a young age, I have always aspired to be an artist. I fondly remember spending hours in my sister’s room, captivated by her quiet painting sessions accompanied by the soothing sounds of classical music. As the artist in the family, she inspired me, and like many young girls, I yearned to emulate her creativity.

My passion for art blossomed further when I was working in Paris, where in my free time, I immersed myself in the masterpieces at the Louvre, the Picasso Museum, and my favourite the Jeu de Paume, renowned for its impressionist collections. In addition to my art teachers, my two aunts—renowned artists in the US and Sri Lanka—have been profound influences in my artistic journey.

I started painting seriously about 15 years ago under the tutelage of Cora Waterhouse (Singapore) and Petra Pinn (Australia). At that time, I explored all mediums and finally settled on acrylics. Experimenting with charcoals and pastels was delightful, and each medium revealed new dimensions of creativity.

My art has evolved over time and in the last 3 years I am painting mostly figures in acrylics and pastel pencils and scenary.  In 2024, I decided to focus my art on my heritage, namely South Asian women and faces of the modern woman. Hence, I paint both the traditional Asian woman and modern images of woman in vivid tones.

I was recently an Artist in Residence at One Arts Gold Coast, where I had a solo exhibition the month of September 2025.  I have also been accepted into Artist Residency programs in France and will be participating in one in 2026.

My strength lies in using a vivid palette to convey emotions, as I believe that art should evoke feelings and memories. My mission is to create high-quality, reasonably priced artwork that brings joy and vibrancy to living spaces and offices. In today’s world, having a painting that instils an emotion is important. I am proud to have my paintings displayed in homes across Paris, Singapore, Manila, Colombo, Hawaii, California, and Sydney, and I hope each piece has brought a whisper of joy to its owner.

“Tania weaves a rich palette and fantastic images together to create colourfully arresting paintings! As her first teacher, I am excited to watch her develop a style that is uniquely her own” – Cora Waterhouse

Contact Details:
Tania Thenabadu
Tel: +61 413684260
www.kiart.gallery