Curatorial Statement
Exhibition Posted Online: Monday, February 8, 2027 at 10 am MT
Tamara Meyer is a ceramic sculptor who enjoys exploring the limitless possibilities of clay and glazes. Using an extruder and unconventional hand-building techniques she creates both functional and narrative works of art. She is the co-owner of Beall Street Studios in Bozeman.
In 2002, after many years as a graphic designer in the Seattle area, Tamara and her family moved to Bozeman. While raising three children, she returned to school at Montana State University, where she earned a BFA in Studio Art in 2014, received the Bronze Pencil Award, and completed a minor in Art History. Her work has been selected for juried shows in Texas, California, and Montana. She also holds a Visual Communications degree from the Art Institute of Seattle (1987) and a BS in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington (1984).
Tamara’s other interests include hiking, skiing (both cross country and downhill), tennis, traveling, gardening, and doing just about anything outdoors with family and friends.
My ceramic art often starts with an extruded hexagon. From there it diverges into a narrative or a functional sculptural form enhanced by glazes.
The narrative sculptural vases are created by combining extruded hexagons and hand modeled forms. These are small vignettes of modern society. The geometric hexagons reminiscent of a bee colony create a platform for gestural figures while also creating a vessel ideal for simple flower buds. Each figure is unique, inspired by the people I see, an emotion I want to convey, or a memory I think others can relate to. The placement of the figures in relation to one another is intended to represent a positive social interaction and build upon the message of the piece. I hope these pieces evoke happiness and can spark a memory of good relationships. Each piece is glazed using a combination of methods; including spraying, pouring and brushing, and adding decals or luster if desired to enhance the theme.
The crackle vases are created by handling a large freshly extruded tube of very soft clay and coaxing it into position while letting the effects of gravity create a unique form. This process, unlike traditional wheel thrown vessels, creates a non-symmetrical form which transforms into something new from every angle. After the first fire the vase is covered with 4-5 layers of hand painted glazes. In the second fire the earth elements suspended within the liquid glaze melt, creating the unique crackle exterior, and if all goes well a glass like waterproof interior.
-Tamara Meyer