Tanya Galia, @tan._.ya, is a multi-disciplinary artist and musician based in North-West London with Filipino heritage. She obtained a BA in Graphic Design from the University of the Arts London’s Camberwell and currently works across early education with an interest in teaching creative workshops. She explores abstract maximalism in mediums such as painting, ceramics, textiles and technology. She goes by ‘GALIA’ when showcasing her music. GALIA is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and part of a samba youth band ‘União da Mocidade’ (Union of the Youth). Inspired by London’s fusion of cultures, she mostly explores Jazz, Soul, Psychedelia, and RnB. In her songwriting, she highlights the power of affirmations and is relearning her mother tongue, Bisaya, through music.
Galia had her first solo exhibition in May at Hackney Gallery showcasing her most recent and ongoing project ‘Home is where the Art is’; Working alongside her amazing curator, Jordan Clarke. Her project explores reflection, community, the space of home, dreams and collaboration. Each piece explores, even if only noticed on a subconscious level, how all things in life seamlessly bend & flow into each other to make one full experience. How all things in existence can be collaborated with. From our physical home space, the lands we are attached to and come from, and our innermost home - ourselves expressed outward. Each piece is a celebration of this fact and the people and spaces that make us who we are in some way or another.
We caught up with Tanya about the various ways music and art crossover in her practice, her advice for artists interested in performing live art and more...
At our recent BRUSHWRK x The Five Points Project exhibition, we absolutely loved your live art performance in which you painted on a dancer, @sshhhhikha, over the course of the evening. Can you tell me about the thought process behind that performance?
My live art performance was based on my ongoing art project "Subconscious Flow", a painting series where I dive into a painting with no initial plan of what to paint - NO PLAN JUST VIBES! It's a great way to express whatever feelings I have in that moment and after finishing, I find meaning in the shapes and colours - reflecting on my subconscious mind.
Usually, I love painting along music to music. Knowing that the exhibition included DJ's spinning tunes, I came up with the idea of incorporating art, music and movement. This was my first time trying anything like this! There are so many ways of expressing creativity so it was really exciting highlighting the expression of movement in dance and art - how music can literally move you.
I recently started dance classes just over a year ago, something I have always been keen on learning. @sshhhhikha was actually the one who encouraged me to start - She is a professional belly dancer and teacher. It was really special to share my performance with her as she constantly inspires me with her expressive moves.
Do you have any advice for other artists that may be interested in live art?
Think about different ways you can present your performance and incorporate other ideas. My very first performance was with The Five Points Project - I had painted on an acoustic guitar, but still in the style of 'Subconscious Flow'.
Think about other aspects of your performance. What will be displayed around you? You could add in a plant or decorate your space somehow. What are you going to wear? It is a great opportunity to wear your merch or intentionally complement the colours of your art.
Also, I believe the best types of performances are interactive with the audience. Collaboration and being welcoming so the audience is not afraid to say hi and ask questions.
As both an artist and a musician, how do you find the two cross over in your practice?
Music and art are a great outlet to express and reflect. Both are great ways of being creative and being able to relate to the viewer/ listener. I love the phrase “Art is how we decorate space; Music is how we decorate time.” - Jeán-Michel Basquiat.
In my debut solo art exhibition, I had the opportunity to showcase a live music performance at the private viewing. Looking at 'Home Is Where The Art Is' as a music project, I explore collaboration with the audience and musicians - from performance, songwriting to production. This is an example of how I incorporate collaboration in both music and art.
Can you tell me about 'The Collective Dream'?
'The Collective Dream', 2024 is a collaborative piece between me and the public at my exhibition in Hackney Gallery.
The design is an abstract illustration of one of my dreams. The public - ranging from family, friends and strangers contributed to this piece by adding colour and designs - often tagging their names, drawing people, animals, plants or writing phrases like "take it easy" and "all seeing". Everything added felt full of life!
What part did this piece play in your debut solo exhibition, 'Home Is Where The Art Is'?
'Home Is Where The Art Is' is an art project, a song and the name of my first album. It explores themes such as belonging, community, the space of home, dreams and collaboration.
The initial design came from my first recorded dream from my colouring book 'I've Been Dreaming Of You'; A collection of abstract illustrations of my dreams.
The dream follows as:
"There’s a TV in a store and Lilo And Stitch is on.
I take inspiration from Stitch on a shiny, reflective floor" - 14th January 2024
On the first night of the private viewing, the canvas was presented in black and white - how it is presented in the colouring book. On that night, we let the public start the collaboration. We left paint markers and oil pastels for anyone to contribute. It was so fun to see the piece transform! It kept on changing over the days. Everyday It was different.
What changes would you like to see in the future of the industry?
I would like to see more events in North West London or just not always in East and South London hahaha because I am always traveling 1 hour+... I guess more events not just in 1 saturated area.
To have events that run longer in the night and to be able to order a coffee or tea in gig/ late night events!!! To have more reliable public transport. To expand the night tube and for ubers to be more affordable. I would like to see more affordable and free events so that more people can join in. I would like this to happen without it affecting the artist's pockets.
If you enjoyed this conversation with Tanya, make sure to check out our other Artist Spotlight interviews over on https://www.brushwrk.co.uk/blog and whilst you’re there, why not have a look through all of the fantastic art we have for sale from emerging artists? Pop into the website to see what catches your eye…
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