Adrienne Elise Tarver
Roots, Water, Air
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
October 26 – March 8, 2025
LINK
ADRIENNE ELISE TARVER
Adrienne Elise Tarver is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and cultural worker with a practice that spans painting, sculpture, installation, photography, textiles, and video. Tarver’s work addresses the complexity and invisibility of Black female identity, often inspired mythologized assumptions of the African diaspora, cultural icons, oral and speculative histories centering domestic space, and archetypes including the tropical seductress and the spiritual matriarch. Tarver’s recent explorations of tarot as a system of agency and interpretation—a lexicon of symbols with the potential to alter the course of an individual and manifest societal shifts.
Adrienne Elise Tarver (b. 1985, New Jersey, US) received an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA from Boston University. Tarver’s work has been exhibited internationally at venues including the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, CT; Atlanta Contemporary Art Center in Atlanta, GA; Wedge Curatorial in Toronto, Canada; A-M Gallery in Sydney, Australia; Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD; BRIC Arts Media Project Room, Wave Hill, Hollis Taggart, and Dinner Gallery in New York, NY; and OCHI in Los Angeles, CA and Sun Valley, ID. Tarver is the recipient of awards and residencies including a 2022-2023 Silver Art Projects Residency, 2023 Artshack Ceramics Residency, and a 2022 Nancy Graves Visual Art Grant. She has been awarded commissions for projects with New York Metro Transit Authority, Public Art Fund, Google, Art Aspen, and Pulse Art Fair. Tarver’s work has been featured in various publications including The New York Times, Forbes, Brooklyn Magazine, ArtNews, ArtNet, Blouin ArtInfo, Whitewall Magazine, and Hyperallergic. Tarver has held numerous leadership roles in arts and education including Director of Programs at the National Academy of Design, Associate Chair of Fine Arts at Savanna College of Art and Design, and Director of Art & Design for the Harlem School of the Arts. Tarver lives and works in New York, NY and is represented by OCHI.
Featured Works
CV
ADRIENNE ELISE TARVER
Born 1985, New Jersey
Lives and works in New York, NY
EDUCATION
2011
MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2007
BFA, Painting, Printmaking, Art History, Boston University, Boston, MA
SOLO & TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2024
Where the Waters Go,
Dinner Gallery, New York, NY
She who sits,
Public Art Fund, JCDecaux Bus Shelters in New York, NY; Boston, MA; and Chicago, IL
2023
Manifesting Paradise,
presented by Welancora Gallery, Art Basel Miami Beach
To Learn The Dark,
OCHI, Los Angeles, CA
Absorbing the Storm,
Artshack Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2022
Manifesting Paradise,
Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD
2021
The Sun, the Moon, and the Truth,
Aldrich Projects, The Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield, CT
Underfoot,
Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, GA
Terra Incognita,
Art-in-Buildings, New York, NY
2020
History Reclaimed,
Hollis Taggart, New York, NY
Escape,
Victori + Mo (Dinner Gallery), New York, NY
Handle with Care,
Wedge Curatorial, Toronto, ON, Canada
2019
Terra Incognita,
happylucky no. 1, Brooklyn, NY
In Fertile Shadows,
Art Aspen, Aspen, CO
Veil,
Gallery 310, Marietta College, Marietta, OH
2018
Mirage,
OCHI, Los Angeles, CA
Origin: Fictions of Belonging,
Sunroom Project Space, Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
2017
Secrets of Leaves,
Victori + Mo (Dinner Gallery), Brooklyn, NY
2016
Stories of Shadows,
Victori + Mo (Dinner Gallery), Brooklyn, NY
Eavesdropping,
BRIC Project Space, Brooklyn, NY
2013
In the Eaves,
A-M Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2009
Paintings, Drawings & Installations,
Art Matrix Gallery, Chicago, IL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Reminisce,
Hollis Taggart, New York, NY
Fine Arts Faculty/Staff Exhibition: Part Two,
Schafler Gallery, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
2022
Wish You Were Here,
OCHI, Sun Valley, ID
Figure, Character, Sign,
A Plus A Gallery, Venice, Italy
Arrangements in Black,
Phillips New York, New York, NY
Our Blue Planet,
Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
2021
Expanded Field,
OCHI, Los Angeles, CA
Group Chat,
Julius Caesar, Chicago, IL
On The Road: Chocolate Cities,
Tone Gallery, Memphis, TN
Stopgap,
MASSIMODECARLO VSpace (online)
Becoming Buoyant,
Ortega y Gasset Projects, Brooklyn, NY
2020
Abstract is not a Style,
Hollis Taggart, Southport, CT
Interiors: hello from the living room,
1969 Gallery, New York, NY
Art on the Grid,
Public Art Fund, New York, NY
The Pursuit of Aesthetics,
Morgan Lehman, New York, NY
Inside Art,
Children's Museum of Manhattan, New York, NY
2019
These Times are Racing,
Arisohn + Murphy, High Line Nine Gallery, New York, NY
Plastic Garden,
Asya Geisberg Gallery, New York, NY
SPF 32,
Ulmer Arts, Brooklyn, NY
Foliaform,
Goucher College, Baltimore, MD
Human Nature,
Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Brooklyn, NY
2018
Pulse Projects & Collaborations,
Pulse Art Fair, Miami, FL
Art, Artists, and You,
Children's Museum of Manhattan, New York, NY
Winter Bloom,
Camayuhs, Atlanta, GA
Mirrored by Nature,
Welancora Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Queer Tropics,
Pelican Bomb at Transformer, Washington DC
Indoor Outdoor,
SPRING/BREAK, New York, NY
Keepsake,
Galleries Night, Bangkok, Thailand
Walking as a way of knowing,
Brooklyn, NY
2017
Queer Tropics,
Pelican Bomb, New Orleans, LA
Bronx Calling: The 4th AIM Biennial,
Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY
The Secret Life of Plants,
Freight + Volume, New York, NY
Plant Patterns,
Arsenal Gallery, New York, NY
Thresheld,
Codify Art, Underdonk Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Parting and Together,
Greenpoint Hill Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Duty Free,
Ground Floor Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Summer in the City: The Brooklyn Show,
Newburyport, MA
2016
Pulse/Trigger,
Sine Gallery, Newark, NJ
Plus One (+1),
Trestle Contemporary, Brooklyn, NY
30 Under 30-ish,
Victori + Mo (Dinner Gallery), Brooklyn, NY
In The Works,
Unisex Salon, Brooklyn, NY
Fresh Catch,
Fastnet, Brooklyn, NY
2015
PRIME,
Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Posse,
Private Residence, Aspen, CO
Summer Salon,
Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2014
Convergence,
808 Gallery, Boston, MA
Small Works,
Trestle Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Art Now,
NG Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2013
Spring Exhibition,
Art Est Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2012
Tribute to the Triangle,
SNO Centre, Sydney, Australia
2011
Zodiac,
Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
MFA Exhibition,
Sullivan Galleries, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
AWARDS, COMMISSIONS, & RESIDENCIES
2023
Artist Residency, Artshack, Brooklyn, NY
2022
Artist Residency, Silver Art Projects World Trade Center, New York, NY
Visual Artist Grant, Nancy Graves Foundation, New York, NY
2020
Artist-in-Residence, Google, Palo Alto, CA
Mount Vernon Bridge Commission, Metro Transit Authority Arts & Design, New York, NY
Inaugural Artist Commission, Art Aspen, Aspen, CO
2018
KeyKeyholder Residency, Lower East Side Printshop, New York, NY
2017
Artist in the Marketplace, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY
Artist of Honor, Trestle Gallery Benefit, Brooklyn, NY
2016
Publication Fellowship, Peripheral Vision Arts, Dallas, TX
2015
Visiting Artist Residency, Brooklyn Art Space, Brooklyn, NY
2014
Distinguished Artist Scholarship + The League Residency at Vyt, Art Students League of New York, Vytlacil, NY
2011
Pavlis Full Fellowship Award + Residency, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
2010
Kraus Family Foundation Award, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
World Studio AIGA Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Carol Gluckman Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2008
Residency, Caversham Centre for Artists and Writers, Caversham Glen, South Africa
2007
School of Visual Arts Purchase Award, Boston University, Boston, MA
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2024
Adrian-Diaz, Jenna. “Public Art Fund Brings the Art to Its Spring Party," Surface, May 23
Navidar, Kousha. “Artist Adrienne Elise Tarver Explores Her Identity in New Chelsea Gallery Show," WNYC, May 21
2023
“Public Art Fund Announces 2024 Exhibition Program," Public Art Fund, Nov. 8
Pener, Degen. “The Ultimate Guide to Frieze Week L.A.s 125-Plus Parties, Openings and Talks," The Hollywood Reporter, Feb. 13
Thomas-Graham, Pamela. “The 26 Black Breakout Stars to Celebrate Now in Contemporary Art," Dandelion Chandelier, Feb. 7
2022
Oxford American, Iss. 118, Fall, Sep. 6 (image)
Toglia, Michelle. “How This Artist is Using Tarot Cards to Manifest a Hopeful Future," Bustle, Jun. 29
“Adrienne Elise Tarver: The Artist on How Tarot Impacted Her Work and the Power of Place," Platform, Jun. 29
2021
Hollis, Phyllis. “Adrienne Elise Tarver," Cerebral Women Art Talks Podcast, Ep. 77, Oct.
Walsh, Brienne. “In a New Body of Work, Adrienne Elise Tarver Sets a $21 Million Plantation on Fire," Forbes, Oct. 28
“Adrienne Elise Tarver: Invisibility as a Superpower," Contemporary&, Oct. 19
Feaster, Felicia. “Spotlight shines on women artists, curators and gallery owners this fall," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sep. 27
Durón, Maximilíano. “The 10 Best Booths at New York’s Armory Show," ARTnews, Sep. 10
Rodney, Seph. “Seeing the Armory Art Fair as a Chance to Reconnect," Hyperallergic, Sep. 10
Crusan, Jamee. "New Takes: Adrienne Elise Tarver," Art Practical, Jan. 24
Hess, Erika B. “Artistic Success Through Balancing Art Making and Organization: Adrienne Elise Tarver," I Like Your Work, Jan. 22
2020
Mendoza, Taylor. "Mining the past, Mirroring the Present," Bostonia, Nov. 2
Rosenbluth, Alfred. "INTERIORS at 1969 Gallery," WhiteHot Magazine, Nov.
Corwin, William. "The Pursuit of Aesthetics: Artwork Created During Quarantine," The Brooklyn Rail, Jul./Aug.
Laster, Paul. "Highlights from Intersect Aspen Online," WhiteHot Magazine, Jul.
Davis-Marks, Isis. "History Reclaimed at Hollis Taggart," WideWalls, Jun. 8
Cascone, Sarah. "Editors’ Picks: 19 Things Not to Miss in New York’s Art World This Week," artnet news, Mar. 2
Steinhauer, Jillian. "What to see Right Now in New York Art Galleries: Adrienne Elise Tarver’s disquieting paintings," The New York Times, Feb. 28
Graeber, Laurel. "Grown-Up Art at a Children's Museum, but It’s Still Playtime," The New York Times, Feb. 14
2019
Travers, Andrew. "Art Aspen commissioned artist Adrienne Elise Tarver on making 'In Fertile Shadows,'", Aspen-Times Weekly, Jul. 31
Donoghue, Katy. “Art Aspen Celebrates 10 Years," Whitewall, Jul. 26
Jordan, Eliza. "Art Aspen Awards Adrienne Elise Tarver with Inaugural Artist Commission," Whitewall, Jul. 25
Armstrong, Annie. "ARTnews in Brief: Art Aspen Fair Showcases Adrienne Elise Tarver for Inaugural Artist Commission," ARTnews, Jul. 30
Ip, Helen. "Looking and Being Looked At," Pour Over Magazine, Iss. 3, Jun.
2018
"Art Power Women Series: Adrienne Elise Tarver," Art Zealous, Dec. 10
Leathers, Lauren. “What to see, hear and do this week, December 10-16," ArtsAtl, Dec. 10
“Curator and Director Led Tour of Inward, Outward, Forward and Underfoot exhibitions," Georgia Committee National Museum of Women in the Arts, Dec. 7
"On Eavesdropping," Ecotone Magazine, Iss. 25, Spring/Summer (image)
2017
Palmer-Hogan, Sarah-Lee. "Great Women Artists," The Ingenue Magazine, Iss. 5
Sutton, Benjamin. "Peeping Through a Painted, Sculpted Jungle," Hyperallergic, Mar. 17
Jordan, Eliza. "Adrienne Elise Tarver on ‘Secrets of Leaves’ at Victori + Mo," Whitewall Magazine, Mar. 6
"Assuming is Dangerous: Talking with Adrienne Elise Tarver," Brooklyn Magazine, Mar.
"Art Hearts...More art to see this week," Bedford + Bowery, Feb. 13
2016
"14 Emerging Female Artists to Watch in 2017," artnet news, Dec. 21
"Voyeurism & Stories of Shadows with Adrienne Elise Tarver," Art Zealous, Dec. 15
“Adrienne Elise Tarver at Victori + Mo, New York," Blouin Art Info, Dec. 8
Miller, Rachel. “Look Harder: Good Art Things to See this Week," Brooklyn Magazine, Dec. 7
Cascone, Sarah. "Editors’ Picks: 6 things to see in New York this week," artnet news, Dec. 5
Volpe, Lisa. "The Numinous Artwork of Adrienne Elise Tarver," Peripheral Vision, Iss. 2
Lear, Bria. "Three Things to see: Gowanus Open Studios," Framework Magazine, Oct. 14
Sutton, Benjamin. "Your Concise Guide to Gowanus Open Studios 2016," Hyperallergic, Oct. 13
Powers, James. "In Conversation: Adrienne Tarver," On-Verge.org, May 13
2015
Sutton, Benjamin. "…Favorites from Gowanus Open Studios 2015," Hyperallergic, Oct. 20
2013
"Open Gallery: In The Eaves," Sydney Morning Herald-Spectrum, Jun. 22
2009
“A Mixed Bag of Contemporary Art…", Chicago Tribune, May 22
“Fresh Paint," Gapers Block, Nov. 9
2003
"Colors of Love...", Chicago Daily Herald, May
News
-
-
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Against Dystopia
Diane Rosenstein Gallery
September 14 – October 19, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Public Art Fund to Present Adrienne Elise Tarver’s Multi-City Bus Shelter Exhibition Exploring Black Matriarchy and the Power of Rest
City Life Org
August 14, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Things to do in Boston this weekend and beyond
Boston Globe
August 14, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
She who sits
Public Art Fund
August 14 – November 24, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Public Art Fund Brings the Art to Its Spring Party
Surface
May 23, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Artist Adrienne Elise Tarver Explores Her Identity in New Chelsea Gallery Show
WNYC
May 21, 2024
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
Public Art Fund Announces 2024 Exhibitions
November 8, 2023
LINK -
Adrienne Elise Tarver
To Learn The Dark
Speaking Dark: Adrienne Elise Tarver
and Taylor Renee Aldridge in conversation
OCHI Aux
February 15, 2023
LINK