TANJA McGIVNEY
545 Warren Street, 2nd Fl, Hudson, NY
Tanja MCGivney is an artist utilizing various metal leaves in her works and is based in Hudson. She uses dyed silver leaves, oxidations, and genuine metal leaves. She reverse gilds onto glass or other substrates.
Tanja draws from her career as a restorer and she loves using techniques to create the illusion of patina and age within her pieces. Her work shows reflections and nuances within differently gilded metal leaves.
While growing up in a small town near Frankfurt, Germany she was inspired early on by the antique sculptures and objects that fill the nearby churches and castles. In 1996 after graduating from the Arts Academy in Fulda, she began working for the Institute for Restoration and Conservation, GmbH. Enthusiastic to broaden her skill sets she entered a 3 year apprenticeship program. There she studied the full spectrum of the gilding techniques including sculpture, frame and furniture, simultaneously attending The Institute for Color and Design in Munich as part of the academic side. Graduating in 2001, winning a scholarship to the masters program which she successfully completed in 2004. Working initially at Giltwood restoration in 2001, followed by 6 years at Lowy-Art after immigrating to the US in 2004.
Tanja opened up her studio in 2010 in Hudson NY and is practicing art and restoration in her studio where one leads to the other.
She has shown her work in Sneak Peek 2025 and Holiday Art Market 2025 in Hudson and in Botanical Observations in Montgomery, NY 202
Artist Statement
Old glass and its allures, over a century old and still in perfect condition.
I draw from my experience as a traditionally trained conservator. I am inspired by the natural flow of light and reflections in my objects.
My choice of substrate is float glass, gilded with genuine metal leaves, using methods older than the glass itself.
The pieces are free to move as one moves, bouncing off light and highlighting different aspects. This creates a playfulness which invites you to see beyond the distraction of the conspicuous to capture its true essence.
My pieces are my exploration into the whimsical world of the fine art to engage all the senses.
My goal is to inspire to look more carefully at the world around us. To discover the beauty and changing perspectives and discover beauty in unusual places.
I am presenting these works with the hope that you feel the peace and flow as I am when creating them.