Tara Lewis

Personal adornment, blurred lines, individuality, pop culture, and teenage coming of age

Tara Lewis (b. 1970, New Hampshire) has long been one of my favorite artists, and if you’re in NYC you can see why in person—two of her current works are at The Hole in the Bowery, part of a group show called Echo Chamber on view until March 30th.

In her bio, Lewis explains her work as centering “on self-awareness, adornment, realness, and self-decoration in tandem with varying narratives inspired by media culture that often tap female agency, personal expression and the contemporary complexities of femininity. Exploring cultural anthropology, individuality, and personhood, her work weaves a fresh narrative that delves into irreverence with slight satirical punch, informed by critical reflections on expectations and stereotypes.”

There is so much in her paintings that makes one stop and look harder. There is an innocence, an irreverence, to her characters, and yet underneath there is a hardness, like a challenge. A teenage blend of fragile child and already-hardened party girl. They look at you with a mix of defiance and boredom.

There is also a sexuality to them that makes you question their age—and then question yourself. It's an overt sexuality, that somehow also appears innocent and accidental. Is she 15 or is she 25? In many it is hard to tell. The girls look straight at you, and you have to ask—are they challenging me or are they bored with me? Or is it a mix of both?

The various “adornments” call into question our individuality versus pop-cultural trends. How do we armor ourselves? How do we decorate ourselves to go out into the world? What do we say to the world with our style choices and what stereotypes do we all get wrong? Is she playing dress-up or is she serious? Some, like “Mr Americana” and “Trophy Wife” challenge our stereotypes. “That’s All Folks” is a playful reminder that what we see of people in the world is part show. How we all move about public spaces and present ourselves is show—and we can have fun with it or not. We can judge people or not. Either way life is a stage and everyone is just choosing how to show up to it.

See more on taralewisstudio.com (instagram @taralewisstudio) or visit the Echo Chamber show through March 30th at The Hole Gallery, 312 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

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