TAI SNAITH ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT JACKY WINTER GARDENS
Tai Snaith was the August Artist-in-Residence at Jacky Winters Gardens and was photographed by Gavin Green:
During her recent residency at Jacky Winter Gardens, Tai and her gentle giant hound Wally re-visited many places of her childhood (Tai grew up for many years in the hills), which has formed the research for two of her large paintings in her forthcoming show ‘Days Eye Opens’ at Nicholas Thompson Gallery in November 2025. She made sketches and took notes from nostalgic locations like the Mt Dandenong Arboretum, the Kalorama All Saints church and The Sherbrooke forest, where she spent much of her childhood daydreaming and drawing.
Jacky Winter Gardens is a private guesthouse and creative retreat, hidden amidst a half-acre of secluded bushland within the high hills of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. Each month, from March to November, Jacky Winters Gardens have set aside five days (Sunday afternoon through to Friday morning) to dedicate to the artist-in-residence program. JGW donate the entire private use of the whole property to accommodate a working artist — who can use the time to start, sustain or finish a commercial project. Nine residencies are given out every year to professional artists of all disciplines. Jacky Winter is fueled by a constant commitment to the careful balance of art and commerce. The Jacky Winter Gardens artist-in-residence program offers time and space for the creation or development of new commercial work, or continuation of an existing project.
Tai Snaith with Wally by Gavin Green, Mt Dandenong Arboretum 2025
Tai Snaith by Gavin Green, Mt Dandenon Arboretum, 2025