THE PARADISE OF NORMALITY | Body is healing

The below body of work was developed during Lockdown after Osso’s son Tyler had brain surgery to correct medical resistant seizures. Tyler had suffered debilitating seizures for 6 years prior to the surgery. Osso describes this time in their lives as a disorder of anticipation because the family lived in a constant state of emergency.

Post his operation the seizures stopped, allowing respite from the tension. Osso describes this new state of being as, “a recognition of simple structures and rhythms previously unseen during traumatic times” –
Tamara Osso.

A “blooming” perhaps, of a fresh worldview. The Paradise of Normality exhibition developed from this new found vigor. As a dancer and a painter there was an extensive exploration of a new pattern and or daily rhythms which emerged from the uninterrupted calm that the family gained without the threat of seizures. Coupled with the imposed isolation of lockdown, Osso’s process became both physical and cerebral and internal rhythms and rituals emphasised as workable subject matter.

The artworks reflect on navigating these mental and physical boundaries as they shifted with the benefit of focused time. Walls, the spaces inside of them and outside of them, the plants that transgress them, all fed a euphoric state of being “contained” during a contradictory time of trauma.

In her paintings and prints, Osso emphasises her understanding of paradise through the unnatural  jewel-like colours which render the various tropical plants and animals  that enter into her frames.  Her artworks are multi-layered and busy with much of the subject matter camouflaging the surface of the canvas. Often, dazzling and denying the viewer entry. 

Despite the many obstacles of her city Osso became acutely aware of the high frequency of the natural world and its influence over imagination and particularly her well-being. The resultant artworks are processual and were developed as part of rituals; regularly walking, sitting, painting and playing. They, in essence, champion repetition, consistency and uninterrupted quality time as healing modes. All of the paintings meditate on fractals and their complexity of being self-similar across different scales and they too are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop. 

It is important to note, that in Osso’s hand, painting is largely unpredictable and many of her renderings balance the opportunities and contradictions involved in chance and control. This body of work explored the idea of consistency and ritual yet rhythms vary daily and often have inconsistent  outcomes, especially when the tactile act of painting is employed.