In Conversation with Tan Arlidge

In Conversation: Tan Arlidge

On creative process & the beauty of collaboration

For artist Tan Arlidge, creativity begins with paying attention. Whether it's the movement of wind across water, the intricate textures of a palm tree or treasures collected along the shoreline, she finds endless inspiration in the quiet details of the natural world, which become the foundation for her abstract, gestural sculpture works.
Working across timber, metal, clay and polymers, Tan's practice is driven by experimentation. Each piece begins not with a fixed outcome, but with a feeling, slowly evolving through sketching, material exploration and an intuitive process of making until it reaches a sense of balance and resolution. Raised by a builder father and painter mother, she was immersed in making from an early age before later forging a career in set design and visual merchandising; after the pandemic, she turned her full attention to creating work entirely on her own terms.
That thoughtful approach made Tan a natural fit for Kate & Kole's Artist in Residence series. United by a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, intention and enduring design, the collaboration celebrates objects that become part of our lives through the stories they carry. Following the presentation of her work alongside Australian brands at We Wear Australian in New York, we sat down with Tan to discuss her creative process, the beauty of collaboration, and why slowing down to truly observe the world around us continues to shape everything she creates.

Identity, Artistry & Becoming

How long have you been an artist, and what first drew you to creative expression?
I have defined myself as an ‘Artist’ for the best part of 8 years but I’ve always been Artistic. My background is in Set Design and Visual Merchandising. My Father is a builder and my Mother is a painter so creativity and ‘out of the box’ thinking has been instilled in me from a very young age.
Was there a defining moment where you realised art would become such a significant part of your life?
It was when I realised I could solely focus on my personal creative projects post-Covid. Prior to this I was very much in the space of delivering a client brief as a Set Designer. Of course it was my concepts put forward to the client but ultimately there were always a number of stakeholders influencing the end result. It was never truly mine.
Can you walk us through your creative process from the beginning of an idea through to the finished work?
It always starts with inspiration from forms in nature. I am constantly tuned in to my surroundings and it can sometimes be the simplest thing that sets me on a path to designing a work. An example would be observing wind patterns or collecting shells on the beach or currently I’m really drawn to the textures and forms of all the elements of a palm tree. They are so fascinating to me. I then begin playing with materials to narrow down what I need to use to achieve the piece I’ve sketched. It evolves from there into a finished work after lots of tinkering.

Artistic Instinct & Collaboration

Do your works usually begin with a feeling, memory, place or visual reference?
Definitely a feeling first. The visual references come from sketching out ideas and then looking through books and collecting material samples.
How do you know when a piece feels complete?
That is a tough one. It’s definitely a fine sense of feeling that something is balanced and resolved. I usually sit with the work for long periods of time before I release anything out into the world. It has to feel good to me before it is released out into the wild.
What drew you to collaborating with Kate & Kole for this artist in residency series?
It was such a pleasant surprise to hear from Madalynne and Sara on their return from ‘We Wear Australian’, New York. Kate & Kole is a brand I’ve long admired. They have an impeccable eye for detail so it felt really aligned to present my sculptures alongside their fine jewellery. I knew we’d create something really special together.

What are you currently feeling inspired by creatively?

I’m diving really deep into the physical characteristics of palm trees. It’s influencing the textures and shapes of my work and it feels really good to be experimenting with new materials and techniques to my previous works.

Objects, Meaning & Jewellery

Jewellery and art both hold sentiment and storytelling. Why do you think people form such emotional connections to the pieces they wear and collect?
It really goes back to the very early days of humanity. Collecting treasures and building a home surrounded by those findings is ingrained in our physiology. Art and Jewellery speaks to that inner knowing that being surrounded by treasures gives us purpose and makes us feel at home.
Do you believe jewellery can hold memory and meaning in the same way art can?
As above, yes I do! Jewellery is very sentimental and individual. It makes us feel unique and special. Art is jewellery for the home!
Is there a particular piece of jewellery that holds significance for you personally?
My beautiful grandmother, Patsy has recently passed down a piece of her jewellery to me and it will hold a special place in my heart forever. The ‘Ara’ ring in the Kate & Kole collection is a similar shape. I love it so much.

Personal Connection & Community

What did it mean to showcase your work in New York as part of We Wear Australian?
Having representation in the U.S is a dream come true. To have my work presented alongside a stable of iconic and respected Australian Brands is really special. I’m looking forward to visiting in the near future!
How important is community and collaboration within your creative practice?
Community is everything. I’m really fortunate to live and work in Bondi and am surrounded by a really diverse, dynamic and creative group of humans. We inspire each other to be the best we can be. Collaboration is a joy because it allows cross pollination of the community. Collaborating with Kate & Kole was really special as I was able to meet so many wonderful new faces in Newcastle and introduce my community to their brand and story.
What do you hope people feel when they experience your work?
I hope it opens up their minds to new ways of seeing the natural world. To stop and admire something that feels familiar but presented in an abstract way. We are so busy in our day to day lives and we can become quite passive observers of our surroundings.