Pablo was born is Santiago, Chile. For a while he studied graphic design but his interests for aviation and engineering took him into a different life path. Only after coming to Australia he was able to restart his interest in visual arts. After graduating from The University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of  Fine Arts in 2005 he began his studies in Renaissance Techniques with Charlie Sheard in Sydney.

Pablo Tapia’s art practice reflects an increasing obsession with the traditions and history painting. Over time, his oeuvre cultivated by a thorough analysis of old Master techniques and applications has been rewarded through commercial and institutional success and recognition. Tapia paints the world that surrounds him regardless of subject matter devoutly executing visual concepts that are self-reflexive. His work navigates a trajectory that articulates his passion for paint, its material characteristics and qualities bestowing a truth to his current body of work that is often missing in contemporary visual culture.

Dr Annemarie Murland

Artist and Educator

The University of Newcastle

Callaghan Campus

Artist Statement:
As an artist I believe that an extremely important aspect of being is to constantly strive for an understanding of both our complex humanity and our fascinating and increasingly changing world. Painting with all its multidimensional facets allows us to explore great questions, and small ones, in the confines of the studio, under the framework of a rigorous, natural, and ancient activity. In many ways the journey one takes when embarked on a painting project resembles the ups and downs of living; with all its tribulations, excitement, desperation, longings, and hopes.

At the core of painting practice there are materials and methods of construction; one could say that the only objective aspect of painting is that one paints paint. No matter how complex or simple the ideas behind a work are, at the end they are expressed and materialized by paint applied on the support by the artist.

In this simplicity is where I find an infinite universe of possibilities. I apply paint and I resolve painting problems. Visual ideas or painterly concepts in other words, are at the core of what I do as that is the only thing that in reality a painter does. This way of understanding the practice fuses abstract and representational ideas; one becomes an Abstract Realist.(1) Subject matter then is an excuse to play with paint, to test what the possibilities and limits of the materials are; and of myself. As most visual experiences can be translated in the language of paint, all subject matter becomes a possible ground of exploration. One learns that reality for the most part is a matter of focus therefore the same subject matter can have an almost infinite number of painterly possibilities.(2) Anything in the world then, even the humblest of things, becomes a painter’s treasure. Life is enriched manifold, and in the focused and mindful undertaking of materializing the visual concept through paint application being with  all its awareness is more fully lived and experienced.

1. Sherrie McGraw, Abstract Realism, 2010, retrieved 16 September 2011, ‹http://sherriemcgraw.com/about-sherrie-mcgraw/abstract-realism›.

2. David Leffel, An Artist Teaches: Reflections on the Art of Painting, 2^nd edn, Bright Light Publishing, El Prado, 2003, p. 29.

Education:
2010-2012          RHD Candidate, The University of Newcastle.
2009                     Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours). The University of Newcastle.
2006-2008    Oil Painting: Techniques and Historical Principles Diploma.
                  The Charlie Sheard Studio School, Sydney.
2007            Art Instruction with Terry Benson, Sydney. 
2005            Bachelor of Fine Arts. University of Newcastle.
2002-2004    Adv. Dip. Of Fine Arts (Painting). The Gallery School, Meadowbank TAFE.

Solo Exhibitions:

2011     Bodegón, Frances Keevil Art Gallery, Double Bay, Sydney.

2009     Flying Stories, Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle.

2009     Grounded Stories, Frances Keevil Art Gallery, Double Bay, Sydney.

Group Exhibitions:

2008    Objects of Affection, Frances Keevil Art Gallery, Double Bay, Sydney.

2008    The Charlie Sheard Studio School Third Year Students Exhibition.

             Damien Minton Gallery, Redfern, Sydney.

2007    May 2007 Exhibition, Frances Keevil Art Gallery, Double Bay, Sydney.

2007   Studio 16.1, Mary Place Gallery, Paddington, Sydney.

2005   FATE, Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle.

2004   XYZ: New Painting and sculpture from emerging artists. The Muse

            TAFE  NSW Ultimo College, Ultimo, Sydney.

2004   Views at the Muse- TAFE  NSW Arts & Design (part of Museums Light   

            Up Sydney!) TAFE NSW Ultimo College, Ultimo, Sydney.

2003   The Art of Orange: Episode One, Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Camperdown,

            Sydney.

2003   Simply Black & White, Two Step Gallery, Newtown, Sydney.

2003   Guilty by Association, Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank, Sydney.

Awards:

2011   W&N Start your Studio Scholarship.

2010   The University of Newcastle Australian Postgraduate Award.

2009   Faculty Medal Fine Arts. The University of Newcastle.

2009   Provisional University of Newcastle Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

2009   Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Honours Scholarship, The University of Newcastle.

2004   Highly Commended Award, Meadowbank College Association Acquisitive Art Award.

2003   Semi-finalist, TAFE NSW Arts & Design Prize 2003.