A fortunate life | ourballarat summer 2023-24
For ninety-two-year-old artist Tamara Bekier, taking up painting later in life has been a process of healing. Born in Russia, Tamara’s family was taken to Germany during World War II and subjected to unimaginable degradation. Her exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat explores the contrasts between her experiences in Europe and her life in Australia.
Ballarat-based artist Tamara Bekier still remembers the moment she stepped off the MS Nelly and onto Australian soil for the first time more than 70 years ago.
“That was when my life began, at the age of 19, in Australia,” she says.
Tamara’s latest exhibition Between Worlds, is currently on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. She experiments with different ways to explore the juxtaposition of her life in Australia with her experiences in Europe.
Bekier’s dense and colourful works reflect her long and tumultuous life going back to the Second World War and the horrific experiences she suffered as a refugee in war-torn Europe. Her work is based on dreamscapes which reflect two parallel worlds — her past and her present.
The missing piece
After landing in Australia and building a life from scratch, falling in love and raising three sons was “a privilege”. However, something was still missing for Tamara.
After taking a drawing course, Tamara discovered her love of painting at age 48.
“That something that was missing was my painting,” she says.
“There are memories that still hurt, but when I paint, I'm in a different world — I’m absolutely in the painting.”
A healing practice
Tamara’s exhibition is more than a collection of artwork. It represents decades of catharsis — an artistic practice that “has become my life”.
Tamara spends the bulk of each day in her studio. Beginning with play, she likes to experiment with colour, texture and light. Throughout this process, she will identify something in the painting that “means something” to her and work with it.
“It’s always something from the past, and that’s where I really get work done,” she says.
“It’s no more fun, I need resolve. I need to complete.”
Spotlight on local artists
Art Gallery of Ballarat Director Louise Tegart explains that the exhibition of Tamara Bekier's work is part of the gallery's ongoing support and celebration of artists living within the Ballarat community.
“It is our vision to be Australia's leading regional gallery and we see the importance of reflecting the stories and experiences of our community, as well as providing opportunities for local artists to tell their stories through their art practice,” she says.
"Tamara Bekier has lived an extraordinary and challenging life – her artworks explore her history and experiences during the Second World War as a child and her migration to Australia in the 1950s, bringing together aspects of her life, in a unique blend of cultural influences.”
Louise says Tamara’s work has been an important way of synthesising aspects of her life and sharing her experiences with others.
"These are exciting works by an important artist living in our community."
For more information about Tamara’s exhibition, visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat website.