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

Solo Show, Dinner Gallery, New York, NY (forthcoming)
Solo Project, Public Art Fund, New York, NY (forthcoming)

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

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
    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

  • Adrienne Elise Tarver
    To Learn The Dark
    Artforum Must See
    February 2, 2023

    LINK

  • Art Zealous: ArtPowerWomen Series: Adrienne Elise Tarver
    December 10, 2018
    LINK