Born in Australia and raised on the shores of Taranaki, New Zealand.

  Extensive overseas travel has enriched and informed the direction of Blong's work. She graduated in 2006 with a major in sculpture and painting from Hungry Creek Art and Craft School in New Zealand.

Sculpture was the basis of her work for several years, working predominantly in wood, the figurative forms related to navigation and ocean faring cultures. Also spending several years as studio technician to renown New Zealand sculptor Terry Stringer.

These days figurative painting forms the direction of Blong's work. "I am interested in society at leisure and the act of being idle, It's not only the sensory aspect of this state of being but looking at leisure throughout history and what it looks like for people today".

The luxury of time being a major theme with questions posed of access, privilege and exclusion..    Reflecting on the richness of simply being in a world that glorifies constant productivity.

Blong celebrates the act of painting, the light and the shadow, the juxtaposition of non-local colour, the creation of   narrative, visceral and emotive.

 Tanya Blong works from Muriwai Beach, New Zealand

She has had solo and numerous group and public shows.

 Her work is held in international, public and private collections.

Biography

2025

The Watchers - Dual show Muse Gallery Havelock North

The Sleepers - Utopia Gallery - group show

2024

State of Leisure - Allpress Studio Gallery - Solo show

Perceived - Kumeu Arts Gallery - Muriwai Artist Collective

2023

Collected Identity - Kumeu Arts gallery - group show

2022

Art in the park - Auckland - group show

2021

NZ Artshow - group show

2019

Artform gallery Matakana New Zealand

  -guest artist - featured works

NZ Artshow - Wellington New Zealand

Auckland Artweek _ Muriwai open studios

2018

Kina Gallery New Plymouth New Zealand

 -solo show Agua Doce

NZ Artshow - Wellington New Zealand

2017

kina gallery New Plymouth New Zealand

- solo show The interior

2011 - 2016

Art technician - St Hildas Perth Western Australia

represented by Margaret River Gallery W.A

2005 -2011

represented by The Lane Gallery Auckland New Zealand

Studio technician to Terry Stringer

work obtained by The Wallace Collection

reviewed by TJ McNamara

Sculpture in the gardens 2011

Sculpture on the shore 2009

multiple solo and group shows

2004-2006

Diploma in Arts and craft

Hungry Creek Art school New Zealand