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Joanna Tagert
Artist’s Statement
Imagery is the driving force of my
artwork. I integrate personal symbolism with more universal allusions by
combining images from Christianity and anatomy with my own experiences in
mental illness. My eclectic choice of imagery provides a way for the viewer to
project his own life and perspective into his interpretation of the work. In
doing so he develops a personal dialogue with the work that is inspired by but
not limited to my own perspectives and intent. I am creating an inner forum in
the viewer where he may address his own similar experiences. When this
discourse addresses issues such as religion or mental illness, it promotes
understanding and growth in areas that are still oppressive to many
individuals, even in today’s pluralistic society.
I juxtapose Christian images with
modern references as a commentary on the dichotomy of the unattainable ideals
upheld by Christianity and the real-world desires and limitations man. Since
the Christian religion is a form of mythology, and myth serves to explain
natural occurrences, the use of these symbols also provides a canon that can be
applied to the roles we play in our lives and the experiences that result from
them.
I employ images of mental illness
as a method of exploring my past hospitalization and treatment for depression
as well as my current and constant effort to keep my illness under control.
These concepts coincide with the medicinal and anatomical imagery in my work,
which stems from my belief that the spirit is encased in a human body to learn
from its benefits and limitations. Through our exploration of life, the body is
damaged and modified to fit our individual needs. Our accidental scars or
methods of beautification transform the flesh into a living canvas that
testifies to our past experiences. Thus our bodies become maps of our growth as
spiritual beings.
Since the issues I address are
those that I struggle with daily, I am constantly exploring new methods of
conveying these topics to the viewer. Thus I work mainly in mixed media,
allowing each concept to dictate its own technique and form.
Joanna Tagert
fallyn_martyr@hotmail.com
www.TagertArt.com
Education
May
2003 B.A. – Art Centenary College of Louisiana
Magna
Cum Laude, Departmental Honors
Double
concentration in Painting and Sculpture
Professional Experience
August
2001- Graphic designer,
Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company and Rose-
Present Neath Funeral Homes, Shreveport, Louisiana
August
2002- Intern, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Shreveport, Louisiana
December
2002
August
2000- Art Editor, Pandora
Fine Arts Magazine, Centenary College of
May
2002 Louisiana, Shreveport, LA.
October
2001 Curator, Body of Work:
Student and Faculty Art Exhibition, Magale Gallery, Centenary College of Louisiana
February
2000 Gallery Assistant,
Pictures of Non-Famous People, J. Shimon and J. Lindemann, Turner Art Gallery,
Centenary College of Louisiana
March
2000 Gallery Assistant,
Beating Hearts: Stories of Domestic Violence, Kate Sartor Hilburn and Terrie
Queen Autrey, Turner Art Gallery, Centenary College of Louisiana
Awards and Honors
2003 Willard and David
Cooper Endowed Art Scholarship
Lonnie B.
and Nellie P. Kilpatrick Memorial Scholarship, Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company
First Place, Centenary Activities Board
November Coffeeshop, Centenary College of Louisiana
Second Place, Centenary Activities Board April
Coffeeshop, Centenary College of Louisiana
Best of
Show, Pandora Fine Arts Magazine, Art Editor and theme design, National College
Media Convention
Nominated
for Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges
National
Dean’s List (2000, 2001, 2002)
1999 1999 Artistic
Achievement Award, Overture to the Cultural Season of New Orleans
1998 First Place, Visual Art, Southeastern Louisiana Literary Rally, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
1997 First Place, Salad Days: Juried Art Exhibition
of St. Tammany Parish, Mandeville, LA
Exhibitions and Commissions
2004 Neverland Street
Fair, donated work to auction to benefit Artspace and the Shreveport Regional
Arts Council, Shreveport, LA
2003 Sanctuary: A Mixed
Media Show by Joanna Tagert, The Zebra Club, Shreveport, LA (solo)
2002 Centenary
Activities Board November Coffeeshop, Centenary College of Louisiana
Arts in the Edge, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Shreveport, LA
The American Tragedy compact disc
artwork, Shreveport, LA
Centenary Activities Board April
Coffeeshop, Centenary College of Louisiana
Pandora Fine Arts Magazine, theme and
design, 2002 “Body” ed., Centenary College of Louisiana
Spring Fling tee shirt design,
Centenary College of Louisiana
2001 Poissons:
Exhibiionistes de la Mer, minicine?, Lee Hardware Gallery, Shreveport, LA
Pandora Fine Arts Magazine, theme
and design, 2001 “Fire” ed., Centenary College of Louisiana (collaborative)
2000 minicine?,
Independent film and visual art exhibition, Shreveport,
LA
(solo)
1999 Talented Art Senior
Show, Covington High School, Covington, LA
Overture to
the Cultural Season Award Ceremony, New Orleans, LA
Untitled
wall mural, Covington High School, Covington, LA
1998 Southeastern Louisiana Literary Rally, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
Untitled wall mural, St. Tammany
Parish Humane Society, Covington, LA (collaborative)
1997 Salad Days: Juried
Art Exhibition of St. Tammany Parish, Mandeville, LA
Bibliography
Jennipher
Fullerton, “Sanctuary at the Zebra Room,” Centenary College Conglomerate, April
5, 2003
Clint
Bruce, “Pandora Reveals Body of Work,” Centenary College Conglomerate, October
26, 2001
Crystal
Carter, “Tagert’s Art a Creation of Instinct,” Centenary College Conglomerate, August
31, 2001
Pandora’s
Box Featured Artist, Centenary College Conglomerate, September
22, 2000
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