I didn't know much about her (and still don't really), except that I REALLY like what she's doing at the moment. Her works are so poignantly whimsical ... And if that seems a contradiction in terms, well, yes it is. But that's the FUN of her efforts. The earnest playfulness that immediately engages the 'viewer' is intoxicating. You just can't help yourself as you delve deeper and deeper into her striking 'small format' pieces.
Called, 'Narratives', these 'stories' seem like torn illustrations from some hybrid children's book, but on closer examination, there ain't anything 'childish' about this work. Masterfully executed, with a precision seldom seen these days, the 'stories' are intellectually and emotionally evocative, and oddly, very timely.
I guarantee that you will not come away from this exhibit 'bored'.
After a brief email chat, Tara has given me permission to mine a few shots from her website and post them here for you to consider. The following particular image worked its magic on me, especially after seeing a few 'preliminary' un-finished steps on Tara's blog, sample follows - (Look closely in the 'unfinished' smoke-scape ... enchanting, isn't it? )
And another ... (not my best 'copy/paste' repro ... )
And another ...(better yet, go to HER SITE to be further tantalized ...)
When compared to some of the Top 300 on Artnet, or the top 100 iconic artworks of the past 5 years one often does wonders ...To my mind, Tara certainly gets it.
Tree Wolf and Other Stories,
Now showing at Hamilton Ontario's
Show runs from Nov 4-30 - See it.
Update: In March 2014, I wrote this article about Tara's work, for Raise the Hammer.
Update: In March 2014, I wrote this article about Tara's work, for Raise the Hammer.
