b. 1970
Tara Lewis received a B.A. in Studio Art at the University of New Hampshire and an M.A.T. at SMFA at Tufts University. Her studio practice is based in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she is a professor at Phillips Exeter Academy, as well as a studio in New York City. Her figurative oil paintings interweave female agency with the complexities of contemporary femininity, employing a narrative that delves into cultural anthropology, individuality, and personhood with an emphasis on self-awareness, irreverence, and satirical insights. Tara’s work has been featured in various solo and group exhibitions in New York City, as well as at ArtCrush at the Aspen Art Museum in CO and the Watermill Center, NY. Tara’s work has been presented at Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Room 57 Gallery, New York, NY; Ki Smith Gallery, New York, NY; All Street Gallery, New York, NY; and Louis K. Meisel Gallery, New York, NY. Her paintings are held in major collections including The Phelan Art Collection, Brooke Shields, The Seavest Collection, Ashley Longshore, and the Bunker Artspace. Tara was recently selected for a painting residency at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, CO. She has been featured in publications such as Artnet News, Cultured, Whitewall, Fine Art Connoisseur and Whitehot Magazine. She is currently creating new works for 2025 Frieze LA week at Albertz Benda in Los Angeles, CA.
“These three unfinished paintings are rich with the energy of rendering and thematic exploration, each telling a unique story that reflects modern cultural themes. Batgirl, Tribeca Trucker and Western Barbie are three concepts that I have explored over the past several years. At my studio, I hit pause on these works to work on other pieces for various show deadlines or commissions. They have been stacked in a pile, waiting for their time on the easel. I love the process-oriented value they hold. A paused painting can tell a more layered story and freeze a moment in time of my studio practice. Despite their current stage, these works invite viewers to connect with the subjects and imagine their stories, making them both intriguing and relevant. The viewer can fill in the blanks, which is an important thing for artists to remember.”
Q. If you could offer your younger self any advice at the start of your artistic career, what would it be?”
A. “Don’t try to fit in. Gravitate to what you know best and what excites you. Your own life experience is the best education you’ll get. Be more disciplined and sketch everyday. Save all of your work, especially drawings. Learn as much as you can about contemporary art.”