Dot Tye was born in London but grew up in Cornwall. She previously completed a foundation diploma in Art and Design which led to a Media Practice degree at Sussex, continuing with mixed media, combining and exploring a range of disciplines.

From where do you find inspiration?

I’ve always been encouraged to think and work creatively by my parents. I think this led to the excitement I get when creating something. I’m often inspired by my own thoughts and the need to express myself in relation to what’s going on around me. I strongly believe that learning to communicate, whether it’s through art or otherwise, is the key to many things like trust and love. This thought inspires me to push the boundaries within me. I’m inspired by the complexity of thoughts and emotions and how this affects our social and political world.

How do visuals and words interplay in your artwork?

Language, words, and poetry play a big role in a lot of my work because, for me, they are intriguing, yet on the other hand can also be obvious and provocative. I like how words can be interchangeable and subjective to the individual, you never know how someone is going to read something and what they will take from it. I’m interested in the way visuals can be used to describe words and vice versa, how they can be juxtaposed to create multiple possible meanings. Artists such as Tim Etchells and Barbara Kruger are very inspiring in the way they use language in their work.

In what way is your artwork nonsensical?

This aspect of my work came from my desire to be able to articulate what I’m trying to say. Through my exploration of language and poetry, I’m more able to do this, but often in a nonsensical way. Often things can seem like nonsense but have an underlining or hidden meaning. I’m intrigued by the endless possibilities that nonsense creates. My work looks at the way in which sense and nonsense link with reality, how we understand and interpret political and social messages when nonlinear narratives are utilised.

Tell us your thoughts about audience relationships to your artwork.

The relationship between my work and the audience, like in most cases, can differ from person to person.  Everyone reads and understands things

which I find exciting and intriguing in itself. I try to create an immersive and confusing experience for the audience that raises questions and provokes thought.)

Are there colours and forms you are more intrigued by than others in your work?

I tend to combine bright, eye-catching

colours with more every day, mundane tones. I like the contrast between them, how this emphasises the relationship between reality and idealism and how it portrays a spectrum of emotions. I’m intrigued by the way different forms interact with each other and the image it creates when they are layered with one another. The depth and detail create an overall image that becomes more obscure and engaging.

Are you creative in other ways than your artwork?

I’m often making little things like clothing, earrings or gifts. It’s a rewarding distraction that I don’t feel too guilty about when I’m supposed to be reading a million words for the next day’s seminar. If I get an idea in my head about something I really like or that someone else would really like, I just try and experiment and see how it turns out. I try to be creative in everything I can, I feel it enables me think more open-mindedly and that’s a good way to be.

What are your future plans regarding your artwork?

I’d like to start a new project that I can really immerse myself in but mainly, I want to ensure I incorporate art into everything I do. I’m going to continue experimenting and exploring different

mediums and see where it takes me.

Words: Louisa Hunt

Find Dot’s work on Vimeo: Dot Tye 

Categories: Artist Focus Arts

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