Tan Arlidge (b. 1987) has established herself as a notable presence in the Arts, both in Australia and Internationally.  Renowned for her ability to capture a sense of movement through material manipulation, Arlidge’s striking sculptures capture fleeting moments of energy and transformation.

Her creative journey began in the fashion industry, where she dedicated over a decade to honing her eye for spatial design in visual merchandising, styling, and set design for leading Australian brands, including Christopher Esber, Alice McCall, and Lee Matthews and sass & bide. These early experiences ignited her fascination with materiality, shaping the intuitive and tactile approach that now defines her sculptural practice.

A pivotal moment in her artistic evolution came in 2014 when she began experimenting with thermoforming polymer, a technique that allows her to manipulate heated materials into fluid, organic shapes. This discovery became the foundation of her distinctive aesthetic.

Arlidge first gained significant recognition with her debut exhibition Mojo Kiko (2015), when her sculptures were featured in 16 ‘sass & bide’ locations throughout Australia and New Zealand.  Her work has since been exhibited internationally, including No Fear of Colour at Galleria Ca’D’Oro in New York and Miami (2023), and Pastel at Mitte Projects in Miami (2024).

The widespread acclaim for Arlidge’s work speaks to the deep emotional and sensory connection it elicits. Her practice is driven by an enduring fascination with movement and the flow of energy, capturing forms as though frozen mid-motion.

In few words Tans work can be described as “moments in time captured as sculpture”.