Tara Ezaguy Bongard
My name is Tara I was born in London, England to Anglo-Portuguese parents, my childhood was shared between England and Portugal, as an overly shy child I immersed myself in observing and touching all that is nature as a refuge.With a dream to discover the world I continued my passion for drawing throughout my travels in America, Central America, Turkey and the Middle East. Settling in Israel for 10 years I apprenticed in woodwork and then glass painting and fusing, I returned to live permanently in Portugal in 2005.Re discovering clay I started forming sculpture in 2008 evolving it into my profession. Since holding exhibitions in Portugal and abroad my sculptural work is appreciated in public and private collections along with my drawings which I continue to create.
Q&A
Artist Statement
In my work and my life I am deeply inspired by the nature that is immediately surrounding me reflecting the natural coloration and texture of the fauna and flora on my pieces which range from decorative to functional. In my human forms I attach importance to focus on the volumes and shapes so my eye captures the strong fertility of female and male, expressing their volumes whilst maintaining a uniform palette of glazes to accentuate this. These pieces in particular are an anatomic discovery expressing inhibitions and diversity of shape that we experience among humanity. Mostly faceless allows for a direct focus on body movement and language.
Each piece for me is a learning process as a self-taught three dimensional sculptor. I am excessively observant in life and attempt to transmit the importance of that to each piece; every curve or corner even to the blind eye is meant as a “tap on the shoulder” to appreciating what is directly perfect around us in human and natural diversity.
What craft do you work with?
I re discovered sculpting with clay when i returned to live in Portugal in 2005, finding stoneware clay versatile with an earthy result connecting it to its subject. My pieces are fired in a wood pellet oven at 1300ºc using a variety of homemade, mixed and bought glazes, using earth, sand and seaweed sometimes to recreate the textures of nature. |
What inspires you to work with this craft?
As a young child i was drawn to nature its forms colours and diversity, still until today I find myself recharged by the natural surroundings of where I live. Using the natural forms to imagine shapes to recreate in stoneware clay.It is the ultimate form of meditation for me, disconnecting from all that surrounds to just enjoy the time I spend in my studio. |
How do you start your creative process?
I think that whatever I am creating developes in my mind over a long period of time, preferring not to make drawn projects first I find this allows my pieces to develop naturally. |
How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?
I feel so lucky to have a large work space that is not only practical but visually stimulating, filled with plants and objects that inspire me along my walks in the forest which surrounds me. I have a lot of tools that i love but along the way i collect many objects un related to sculpting that help me accentuate textures and forms. I think that what I truely could not be without is watching the daylight and seasons change through my studio window. |
Are there new techniques you would like to try?
I have recently, in the last few years found myself discovering the wheel more as a basis for some of my work, I would love to try raku. |
What have you learnt or the best advice you have received that you would like to share with fellow crafters?
I have learned working with clay as my profession that I have to always be versatile with the pieces I make but never compromising to suit trends. Always attaining to improve the fine finishes of each piece, it is important to be spontanious but take every step with care. Professionally I have to say every day I feel very lucky to be right where I am! I feel priviledged to have brought my studio, gallery and sculpture garden to be next to my home where I can receive visitors.I feel as a British born artist I should be more involved in exhibiting my work there, but time will tell. |
Media & Contact
Representation
Freelancing: Studio Bongard
Contact
Email: jamimag@hotmail.com
References
Website: https://www.studiobongard.com/
Instagram: studiobongardceramics
Facebook: Studio Bongard Ceramics
Other: https://www.pinterest.pt/studiobongard/
Photography credit
Sofia CohenStudio Bongard
Location
Portugal