NORMA TAHHAN

AKA: Norma Tahhan

Born: 1961 Sydney

• Abstract
• Contemporary
• Drawings
• Painter
• Established

Norma Tahhan was born in Australia and has an extensive knowledge of drawing and painting, acquired in various Universities and Colleges. She has undertaken many travels within Australia and abroad for artistic research and this is reflected in her many art works.

After numerous exhibitions, including Solo Exhibitions at The Seymour Theatre Centre, Star City, The New England Regional Art Museum and Customs House, it is clear that Tahhan’s artistic practice is dedicated, professional and consistent. Her work has been represented in numerous Private and Corporate Collections throughout Australia, USA, Lebanon and New Zealand. Tahhan’s work has been featured in many newspapers and publications including the Daily Telegraph, Black & White and on television.

Norma Tahhan's personal experience and her love for life materialise in the powerful and dynamic images she creates. Her paintings and drawings are rich and reflect the intensity of her personal experience.

Her works are spontaneous and direct. Her initial idea soon unravels to reveal a work embedded in reality.

“Reality becomes abstract and abstract becomes reality.”

Norma Tahhan totally immerses herself in the creative process, each work becoming an extension of her being.

“My artworks are created through my blood stream – the pulse of my life.

I call for the viewer to become a part of this experience.”

Norma Tahhan

Biography
1980 – 83 Studied City Art Institute, Sydney
Bachelor of Education (Art)
1986 Padstow Technical College, Sydney
Drawing and Printmaking
1987 – 88 Studied City Art Institute, Sydney
Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Art Studies
1989 – 91 Studied St. George TAFE, Sydney
Painting Certificate
1990 – 92 Studied St. George TAFE, Sydney
Drawing Certificate
Studied College of Fine Arts
Master of Art Education
1994 – 96 Studied University of Western Sydney
Painting and Drawing
2000 Artist in Residence - The Sydney Art Gallery
Artist in Residence - Dymocks Sydney
2005 Artist in Residence Domremy High School

SELECTED GROUP ART EXHIBITIONS

1983 Mitchell Cott Award
Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney
Graduate Student Exhibition
Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney
1986 Padstow Technical College, Sydney
1987 Mitchell College Art Prize
Mitchell College, Bathurst
Warringah Art Prize
City Art Institute Post Graduate Exhibition
Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney
Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
1988 The Sydney Morning Herald “On This Day” Art Award
The Mitchell Gallery, Sydney
1989 St. George TAFE Annual Exhibition
The Sydney Morning Herald “On This Day” Art Award
The Mitchell Gallery, Sydney
1990 St. George TAFE Annual Exhibition
1991 St. George TAFE Annual Exhibition
1992 The Hills Grammar School Society of the Arts
Contemporary Art Exhibition, Sydney
1997 Maitland Art Prize
1998 The Rocks Market Art Prize
ASN Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney
“Lebanon, the Land and the People” Our Lady of
Lebanon Church Annual Exhibition, Sydney
Newtown North Public School, Sydney
Emporio Paris, Sydney
1999 Balmain Living, Sydney
2000 “The Real Refuses” TAP Gallery, Sydney
Australian Lebanese Association Olympic Exhibition,
AKLA, Sydney
2001 Wattan Art Exhibition, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
sally d’Ovelle, Sydney
2002 Francophone Artists, Customs House, Sydney
2004 Bezalel Annual Art Exhibition, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney
2005 Group Show, Gallery NTK, Sydney
Various Visions, Gallery NTK, Sydney
2006 Opening Exhibition, Gallery NTK, Sydney
Sydney Art World, Woolloomooloo, Sydney
2007 Christmas Exhibition, Gallery NTK, Sydney
Gallery 41, Woolloomooloo, Sydney
Frans, Croydon, Sydney
2008 Gallery 41, Woolloomooloo, Sydney


SOLO ART EXHIBITIONS

1996 “Sweeping Flames”
The Seymour Centre, Sydney.
The Sydney Harbour Casino, Sydney.
“Heat and Dust”
The Seymour Centre, Sydney.
1998 Gallery NTK, Sydney.
“Totemic Stillness”
Gallery NTK, Sydney.
1999 “Submerge” New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale, NSW
2000 “Abstract Reality”
Gallery NTK, Sydney.
The Sydney Art Gallery, Sydney.
“Artist of the Month” Dymocks Bookstore, Sydney.
2001 “Lush” Gallery NTK, Sydney
2002 “Inferno” Gallery NTK, Sydney
2003 “Singe” Gallery NTK, Sydney
2005 Insomnia, Gallery NTK, Sydney
2006 Release, Gallery NTK, Sydney

PUBLISHED/REPRODUCED

1996 “Norma’s inspiration comes from nature,” Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Brandon Pace, August 12.
“Painting from experience,” Inner Western Weekly, August 14.
“Artist thrives in car yard,” The Glebe & Inner Western Weekly, Nov 27.
1997 “Norma makes a dramatic impact,” The Endeavour Room, A publication of Star City, July 1997.
“Whereby hangs winning landscape,” The Fairfax Sun, July 23.
1998 “Norma’s ultimate masterpiece,” The Glebe & Inner Western Weekly, Feb 18.
“Breaking out,” The Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Susan Mooney, Feb 23.
“Artist starts up gallery,” The Glebe & Inner Western Weekly, Emily Tinson,
Aug 19.
1999 “Submerge yourself at NERAM,” The Armidale Independent, April 15.
“Around Town – New Exhibitions,” The Armidale Express Extra, April 22.
“Exhibition in Armidale,” The Armidale Express, May 5.
NBN News, Interview, April 27.
Prime News, Interview, April 27.
2000 Black + White, No 41, Feb. 2000
“Your Sydney” Exhibition, The Daily Telegraph, Mary Machen, Feb 24.
“Reading for Life,” The Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Nicole Triantafillou, Nov. 20.
2001 “Art Extension of Norma’s Life,” The Glebe & Inner Western Weekly,
Nathan McIlroy, Sept 5.
2002 “French Connection,” The Daily Telegraph, Lillian Saleh, March 16.
“Inferno – An Exhibition by Norma Tahhan-Khoury,” El Telegraph,
Aug 21st.
2003 “Summer Colours Fire an Artist’s Creativity” The Daily Telegraph,
Lillian Saleh, Nov 24.
2005 “Creative Boost,” Inner West Courier, Sophie Blakemore, April 5.
“Wraps off to New Gallery”, The Inner West Weekly, April 7.
“Explosion of Art,” Inner West Weekly, Stephen Ryan, December 1
“Christmas Exhibition,” Inner West Courier, December 6.
2006 “Managing Her Muse” The Inner West Courier, Aug 22
“Spray cans Release Creativity” Marie Sansom, Inner West Weekly, Aug 24
“Annual Exhibition Gathers Top Artists,” Inner West Weekly, Marie Sansom, November 28.
“Exhibiting Real Potential,” Inner West Courier, Nov 28.
2007 “Art Class lights fires, strokes creative flame,” Xavier Toby, Inner West Weekly, Dec 2007.


COLLECTIONS

College of Fine Arts Sydney
St Pauls Catholic College Sydney.
New England Regional Art Museum.
Dymocks Sydney.
All Hallows Catholic Church, Sydney.
Private and Corporate collections in Australia, USA, Lebanon, New Zealand.


AWARDS

Mitchell College Art Prize
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD
Waringah Art Prize
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD
The Sydney Morning Herald “On This Day” Art Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD
The Rocks Market Art Prize
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD