The new solo exhibition from Tammy Kanat, Circle of Her, is an exploration of intuition and feminine archetypes in an exciting multimedia format.
Renowned Australian artist Tammy Kanat introduces one of her most monumental bodies of work to date in a solo exhibition, Tammy Kanat: Circle of Her, presented at the Jewish Museum of Australia from 18th September 2025 through 22 March 2026.
Tammy Kamat shows one of her sculptures, called ‘Tamar’ © Selina OuMeet Tammy Kamat
Tammy Kanat is a Melbourne-based fibre artist whose process is driven by curiosity, intuition and a deep sense of experimentation. Using custom hand-formed copper looms that feature her signature circular frames, Kanat pushes beyond traditional limits of tapestry, creating detailed and elaborate pieces that move easily between organic and more linear forms.
In this latest exhibit, Kanat now turns to sculptural forms in a powerful new direction guided by intuition.
“With Circle of Her, that intuition became something larger than me. I wasn’t only following colour and form, I was listening to the presence of these archetypes and allowing their stories to guide the work.” said Kanat. “It felt like the weaving was carrying wisdom through me, rather than me trying to control it.”
Tammy Kanat: Circle of Her encourages audiences to participate in dialogue about themes like cultural belonging, ancestral memory and the power of material storytelling. Inspired by timeless archetypal feminine figures — from matriarchs and muses to ancestral spirits — the exhibition pays tribute to their enduring impact through seven striking sculptures that explore intergenerational connection.
A sculpture by Tammy Kanat, ‘Esther’ © Josh RobenstoneTammy Kamat: Finding new inspiration
At its core, The Circle of Her is about honouring the threads that weave us together, paying tribute to the women who came before us, those beside us, and the ones we carry within. To Kanat, this exhibit represents a new movement in her growth as an artist.
“Circle of Her feels like a milestone in my journey. Earlier in my career, I was focused on the possibilities of material and form, how to create movement, how to explore colour, how to invent new techniques. With this exhibition, my practice has shifted to holding bigger narratives, about ancestry, resilience, and what it means to be a woman today.”
One of Tammy Kamat’s works in the exhibition called ‘Miriam’. © Josh RobenstoneSince beginning her career as an artist, Kanat has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. Kanat’s presence has grown significantly in recent years, with many high-profile exhibitions. Notable exhibitions include Circles of Life, at the National Gallery of Victoria Australia, 2020 (Melbourne, Australia); Milan Design Week, 2017 (Milan, Italy); Design Files Open House, 2017 (Melbourne, Australia); Sydney Contemporary, 2022, 2024 (Sydney, Australia).
Alongside exhibiting, Kanat’s work is held in important national and international collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria. Kanat was awarded the Richard Parker Award at Melbourne Art Fair in 2024.
A multimedia exhibition by Tammy Kanat
The exhibition also features a soundscape designed by Kanat’s brother, Grant Blashki and Gidi Ifergan, as well as a program of scheduled artist talks. Kanat believes each element is deeply connected. “They all flow from the same source.”
“I see each element as a reflection of the same creation, just expressed through different forms. The weaving, the sound, the book, and the conversations all offer different entry points, tactile, sonic, written, spoken, but they’re connected, not separate. They all return to the same centre: Circle of Her,” said Kanat.
Curated by Esther Gyorki, the exhibition also features a new book authored by Dr Paola Di Trocchio, a former curator at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The book places Kanat’s work within both the contemporary Australian landscape and a broader global design context, cementing her place as a key voice in today’s artistic culture. It features insights from prominent figures across design, art and cultural fields, including Jo Horgan, Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Rachelle Unreich, Professor Natalie King and Esther Gyorki.
Tammy Kanat working on sculptures in her studio. © Selina OuKanat speaks highly of the collaborative spirit behind the project, highlighting how deep she valued working alongside so many talented artists. Two moments in particular left a lasting impression throughout the process of creation.
“The first was seeing the photographs of all the works together, it was powerful to witness them as a circle, speaking to one another, rather than as individual pieces. The second was reading the contributions from others. Their words revealed new layers in the work that I hadn’t even seen myself. Collaboration came very naturally.”
Weaving together meaning
A detailed photo of one of Tammy Kanat’s sculptures, ‘Ruth’ © Mark Lobo“Circle of Her was never about a single voice; it’s about weaving many voices together. I held the vision, but I also stepped back to allow others to bring their perspectives, which only enriched the whole.”
To Kanat, this exhibit reflects a turning point in her artistic practice. “With this exhibition, my practice has shifted to holding bigger narratives, about ancestry, resilience, and what it means to be a woman today. The works are still joyful and intuitive, but they also hold weight and responsibility,” Kanat said.
“For me, this exhibition shows how my practice has grown from experimentation into creating spaces that invite reflection, conversation, and connection.”
The exhibition opens 18th of September, with the book going on sale 17th of September.
