Tanya Ashken

Ashken was born in England. Her artistry revealed itself early; at thirteen years old she was the youngest person to acquire a silver smithing hallmark, having studied the craft at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. Ashken later studied sculpture at the Atelier de Del Debbio, Impasse Rosin in Paris and at the Camberwell Art School. She moved to New Zealand in 1963. Ashken lives in Wellington.

Albatross is Ashken’s most famous work, but she has exhibited widely throughout New Zealand and a large number of her works are in private collections. She has works on permanent display at Victoria University of Wellington, Circa Theatre, and the Wellington College of Education. Another famous public sculpture of Ashken’s is her Polish Children’s Monument in Pahiatua, Wairarapa, which commemorates the Polish refugees New Zealand accepted during World War 2. 700 Polish children were settled at a camp in Pahiatua, and the camp came to be known as ‘Little Poland’.

Sources:

"Artist's Biography - Tanya Ashken", Wellington Sculpture Trust website accessed May 2017 http://www.sculpture.org.nz/the-sculptures/artists/tanya-ashken

"Tanya Ashken artist profile" at The Art Library, last accessed December 2013, at http://www.theartlibrary.co.nz/artists/bio.asp?artistId=548

"Tanya Ashken – Biography", at Koru – Hong Kong, Contemporary Art, last accessed December 2013, at http://www.koru-hk.com/artists/sculpture/TanyaAshken/biography_en/