Artist Statement

Richardson’s silvery mirror installations (Mirror Blind) reflect and engage with their surroundings. They have the ability to reflect a viewer and the space, yet appear also to mysteriously erase them. Richardson’s current favored material has the uncanny ability to disturb perception. This evokes a philosophical and physical understanding of being. In doing so, the work becomes hypnotic. Richardson’s spatial works clearly concern our habitation of space. Her emphasis on materials and space typically result in a minimalist intervention with sculptural forms. Her artistic process is increasingly informed by the pursuit of equality and social identity within contemporary society, meaning at times her work steps outside the realms of a gallery. Richardson’s ambiguous sculptural elements become subtle motifs within her work. The minimalist forms are often emotive and poetic.   Richardson is interested in Phenomenology and Perception. Her work often concerns the space in-between, questioning the nature of being.

Born in Glasgow 1986, Tamara Richardson has developed her practice in Scotland, Canada and Italy. Graduating with an  BA Hons in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) in 2016.  Prior to her studies Richardson worked in the Scottish hospitality industry for a number of years, followed by a short spell working in Advertising sales for a local newspaper, The Oban Times.  And, an administrative role within the National Health Service.  Her varied job history has been influential in much of her art practice.

Richardson has activley engaged with Education and Outreach programming since she volunteered her services for The Untitled: a two year partnership with The Scottish National Galleries (SNG). Based in Alloa, Irvine and Leith, The SNG’s Outreach team programmed The Untitled to celebrate Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland.  Richardson worked as a support artist alongside pupils and staff from Social Services, a Secondary Support Unit , Artists contractors and fellow voluntary support Artists’ from Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The project concluded with the exceptional exhibition, Bad Entertainment, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 2016. Richardson has continued to develope her relationship with SNG’s as an artist contractor and is currently working on their The Art of the Future World outreach programme, in partnership with Secondary schools, Action for Children and The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Previously Richardson took up residence as a member of the Learning Team at the 2015 Venice Beinnale. This was in partnership with Scotland & Venice 2015.  In addition that year Richardson was an Ambassador for Dundee University and DJCAD at Ontario College of Art and design (OCAD), Toronto. As part of the Transatlantic Exchange Scheme. Richardson served a semester of her degree year abroad, complementing her established practice within their Sculpture and Installation course.

Curation is an extension of Richardson’s practice. It expand from the realms of her artistic practice. In addition, this interest allows her to work and collaborate with other creative practitioners. Recent projects in which Richardson has exhibited include: Beuys Fur Alle: The Journey, Ayr 2017; RSA New Contempories, Edinburgh 2017; and Girls Will Be Beuys, Dundee 2016.  

As a former member of the Student Curatorial Team (DJCAD) Richardson was involved with installation and invigilation of prominent shows. These include:  Dear Lynda in the Cooper Gallery. She used the platform that the student curatorial team offered her to experiment on several of her own series of curatorial projects, including: Constructed Materiality, Dundee 2014; Absence Dundee 2014; and Aurora, Glasgow 2014.  Aurora was a collaboration between GSA and DJCAD. The exhibition highlighted upcoming contemporary artists’ in Scotland. It featured undergraduate artists from both Glasgow School of Art (GSA)and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD).

Following her degree show in 2016 Richardson was selected for the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy’s New Contempories 2017 . Girls Will Be Beuys (exhibition) 2016 and was also shortlisted for They Had Four Years 2017 by Generator Projects, Dundee.

Richardson was presented with the Sir William Gillies Bequest Award (2017) by the Royal Scottish Academy at the opening event for New Contemporaries, The award is one of the highest accolades available to recent graduates.