Artist Bio

Israeli-born Talia Goldsmith studied art at the Kalisher school of Art. She came to South Africa in 1984. Influenced by her Yemeni roots and life in South Africa, Talia is fascinated with found materials, infusing her work with unusual and unique combinations of new and recycled items. When talking about organic forms, texture, weaving, stitching, manipulation and human labour, Tali says, "Roots are the Essence.” Her work is a story that bridges material, religion, culture and history. Tali’s latest body of work, Sisyphus, incorporates a range of materials in an unlikely combination that come together to portray an absurdist dystopian vision. Her focus as an artist is a commentary on the human condition through means and metaphors of interrogating the human form, language, spirituality and music. Talia's work is represented in art collections in South Africa, Israel, Canada and the United States.

Three works from the Sisyphus series were recently acquired by Munich Re, an international reinsurance company renowned for its world-class art collection.

RMB Latitudes South Africa 2023
Group exhibition- Graham Contemporary ‘optimal Vibrations’ 2023
Group exhibition-Graham Contemporary ‘Sunny Side Up’ 2023
Group exhibition-Riboville Waterfall Estate 2020.
Group exhibition Material Identity.Melrose Gallery 2019.
SculptX ,Melrose Gallery 2019.
Group exhibition Julie Miller Gallery,Mall of Africa October 2018.
Group exhibition,Priest Gallery,RMB. Turbine Art Fair July 2018.
Group exhibition 2017 Hazard Gallery,Maboneng.Tectonics curated by Jonathan Freemantle.
Group exhibition Art on Main 2017
Submission for the Dakar International Bienalle 2016
Stephan Welz & Co., Fine Art & Design Auctioneers, May 2016
Light The Flame Exhibition, curated by Jessica Deutsch 2015
S.Art Gallery, Hout Bay- Mesh and cement sculptures
The Gavin Project Gallery, Turbine Hall 2015
Group exhibition ,The Gavin Project Gallery ,Arts on Main.
Three plus 1,Group exhibition August 2015
That Art Fair, Cape Town 2015, The Gavin Project Gallery
Group exhibition The Gavin Project, Garden Court Rosebank 2015
Solo exhibition Old Womans Gaol Constitution Hill 2014 “Singing Roots” Sculptures cardboard ,glass, metal, wood, plaster and cement.
Solo exhibition 2010 “Kriah”-(Ritual of mourning) Sculptures - metal mesh and cement

Artist Statement

"Art for me is stepping into the unknown. Sometimes the materials lead me, trying to dictate, and sometimes I am the leader. It’s like a dance that creates something out of nothing. When the work sings to me I know it’s done"

My work focuses on recycling and a transformation of materials that have been discarded. I am drawn to the textured, dilapidated, rusted, weathered and decayed materials affected by the interaction of time and history. Through the materials that I use: cardboard, metal, glass, wire mash, rubber, plastic, hessian, mud, ash, pigments, building materials and other treasures I am stepping into the unknown in order to reconstruct by pulling apart, dismantling, manipulating and weaving a new story using the material as a metaphor. Sometimes the materials lead me, trying to dictate and sometimes I take the lead. It is a dance that creates something out of nothing. My work deals with the human condition, spirituality and music bridging between materials, culture and history.