Tamar Kander

Tamar Kander describes her pieces as metaphors for experiences and expressions of what she sees and feels. Her work comes from a place that reflects on her collective memory, specific thoughts, and associations that are unique to each person. She finds beauty hidden in the mundanity of everyday life – the texture and hues of an old, crumbling wall; the reflection of water; the arch of a bridge – music offers influence as well, particularly classical, jazz, and the blues.

Kander creates multi-media work that is primarily non-representational and is influenced by architectural symbols, landscapes, and her love of texture. Her canvases are vehicles for various materials and elements of collage. She works with a variety of materials, including powdered gesso, cold wax, dry-wall compound, acrylic medium, marble dust, and oils.

Building her surfaces onto canvas, she sometimes incorporates collaged materials. Adding in marks and gestures made with brushes and other tools, she enjoys a reciprocal “conversation” with the work in progress.

Kander’s complicated yet fluid images illustrate her experiences as a world citizen. Kander was born in Jerusalem and grew up there and in South Africa. She studied fine art at the University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, BFA), traveled to Italy on scholarship, then attended Goldsmiths (London, MFA), and thereafter studied at the Art Students League of New York. She now resides in Indiana, US. Her works are included in museum, corporate, and private collections worldwide.