Artist Statement
Cheryl Tall, "The Phoenician Couple ",
2011, detail, 38x18x27", ceramic, glaze,
slip, oxides and terra sigillata
Cheryl Tall
Artist Statement
Cheryl Tall’s work focuses on the relationship between people, animals and environment. Narrative and journalistic, it is inspired by ancient art, travel, mythology, stone carvings, Etruscan ceramics, and German expressionism paintings.
Her sculpture unites architectural and figurative images, portraying the house as dwelling, shelter, temple, dynasty, prison, castle, fortress, retreat, or nest. By using windows as eyes, shingles as hair, and heads topped with an animal or an house, Tall animates the piece and gives it personality.
Tall’s work fuses storybook illustration with surrealism and medieval folk art. She deals with global issues by posing pop culture references against 12th century characters. Influenced by renaissance paintings, Tall’s works portray multiple figures in close proximity, exploring the tensions and strengths inherent in today’s society.
The pop surrealist influence gives her work an engaging and dreamlike quality. By using meticulous clay techniques to create a complex surface, such as pinching, coiling, stacking, carving, stamping, scraffito, applique and color layering, Tall draws the viewer in.
Like messengers from an ancient tale, Tall’s sculptures beckon us to come closer and closer, so that they might tell us their story.
Copyright 1995-2012, Cheryl Tall Art Studio,
1114 N. Coast Hwy., Ste. 2, Leucadia, CA 92024,
760-479-0399
All rights reserved.