Tara Lewis
Tara Lewis’ paintings challenge conventional portraiture, focusing on female agency and the contemporary complexities of femininity. Exploring cultural anthropology, individuality, and personhood, the work weaves a fresh narrative that delves into self-awareness, irreverence, and satirical punch, informed by critical reflections on expectations and stereotypes associated with gender roles. These figurative paintings redefine cultural icons, drawing inspiration from a sustained exploration of childhood memories associated with familiar characters in cartoons, TV shows, and coming-of-age movies. Tara’s work has been featured in various solo and group exhibitions in New York City, at the Aspen Art Museum, CO, and the Watermill Center, NY. Her paintings are in major collections, including The Phelan Art Collection, Brooke Shields, Seavest Collection, Ashley Longshore, and Bunker Artspace. Tara has been featured in publications such as Artnet News, Cultured, Whitewall, Women’s Wear Daily, and Fine Art Connoisseur. Tara received a B.A. in Studio Art at the University of New Hampshire and an M.A.T. at SMFA at Tufts University. She was recently selected for a painting residency at Anderson Ranch Art Center in Snowmass Village, CO. Her studio practice is based in New York City and New England.
Collect Bean: What does growth mean to you?
Tara Lewis: Basically, growth is just a fancy word for playing around until you accidentally get better. Growth means enjoying the ride, diving into new ideas, not getting stuck, not trying to fit in or please people but instead embracing endless curiosity, going with your gut, telling clever stories, feeding the desire to convey ideas through art, and connecting with audiences on a deeper level.
Collect Bean: If you had to describe your work in only three words, what would they be?
Tara Lewis: Empowering, Bold, Thoughtful
Collect Bean: What is the kindest thing someone can tell you about your work?
Tara Lewis: That it’s smart.
Collect Bean: If you could be in a show with any artist, who would it be and why?
Tara Lewis: It would be with Anna Weyant, Roe Ethridge, or Karyn Lyons. Anna for her wildly impressive technique, great brain, and unparalleled narratives; Roe for the intelligent portraiture and crazy confident photographs; and Karyn for the deep smart cinematic dives into female adolescence, fashion, and culture.
Collect Bean: Do you have a saying that you live by?
Tara Lewis: The glass is half-full.
Collect Bean: What is one of your current goals as an artist?
Tara Lewis: To tell a big story on a small canvas.
Collect Bean: Where are you currently finding inspiration?
Tara Lewis: Low-tech superhero masks! My current series portrays female protagonists in face masks depicting characters like Lisa Simpson, Batman, Robin, Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Chewbacca from Star Wars. My portraits present a whole new narrative, and the format is reminiscent of yearbook photo aesthetics. I love the duality of the culturally familiar characteristics of the characters grounded in the familiarity of everyday existence and realness.
