Tara Hughes

“Spells” Artwork by Tara Hughes

As Part Of Taking Up Space Initiative Hosted At CREATE Community Studios 70B Beekman Street Saratoga Springs NY

 May 13 - July 21 2022

Opening reception is May 13th from 5 - 8pm.

New work by regional painter, sculptor and installation artist Tara Hughes will be exhibited at C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studios (70B Beekman St. Saratoga Springs NY) as part of the international initiative: Taking Up Space. Taking Up Space or T.U.S. is  A Grassroots Female Focused Community Global Art Exhibition to highlight artwork made by living women artists in their own area during the month of May.

This show entitled Spells, is a culmination of 2D and 3D work made over the last two years as Tara Hughes tried to process the nature of motherhood. The process and the final imagery reference themes of personal emotional trauma around Covid-19, the recording and honoring of domestic labor and the toll of motherhood during the limbo of a pandemic. The work will be shown alongside “Pictures In Health” an annual show curated by C.R.E.A.T.E.

With the Spells opening reception, the Beckman St. Pop Up, C.R.E.A.T.E.’s ribbon cutting and the Arts District being home to multiple female run art establishments. May 13th has organically evolved into a street wide “Taking Up Space” event. Another opportunity to showcase all  Saratoga’s Beekman St. Art Distract has to offer the public and woman artists.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

The new work in “Spells” was made over the last two years as Tara tried to process the haunting nature of motherhood’s trials, failures and pauses in this pandemic. Using paint, ceramics paper, clay, wool, paint, wood, fabric, the visual language is made up of molds, warped forms, cracks, stains, washes, leaks, drips and layers. Referencing the organic, gorgeous and gruesome relationship between her body and stages of contemporary parenthood. The process and the final imagery in each piece is record of exorcism of emotional trauma around Covid-19, recording of domestic labor and the documentation of the toll of motherhood during the limbo of a pandemic. An effort of Tara to hold on to her sense of self give space to grief and simultaneously honoring the work of child rearing.

The show title “Spells” refers to the many meanings of the word. It refers to illness, a period of time when one is unwell, perhaps chronically. It is also historically used to minimize or ignore the feelings, thoughts , health and emotions of women. In this show it is also a reference to the sorcery of parenthood, the magic of creating life and the magic resourcefulness and/or desperation that can occur to when trying to thrive.