painters
Artist Statement
Andrew Tavarelli
At first glance Andy Tavarelli's work smacks of the exotic, of far away lands, hard to get to places--places his paintings invite us to travel to. Tavarelli is a modern day "itinerant painter." In his backpack he carries both sketchbook and watercolors to record his impressions and his experiences. The Far East, Mexico and the Philippines are places he has traveled.
"Float World" is the most recent body of work in watercolor on paper. Geishas and/or Kabuki characters interact with each other or with figures of days past. A World War Two Soldier and a Geisha, or a Kabuki player with a Cha Cha girl tweak the viewer's curiosity. Vivid color, an interest in pattern and fabric, the intricacy of their dress and hair are integral parts of the composition. Characters seem to be on stage, the viewer is the audience. We are drawn into the relationships between the feminine and the masculine, the east and the west, dreams and realities. The result is both intriguing and engaging. Painted after a series of large oil paintings on canvas, "Float World" invites the viewer to travel into Tavarelli's world.
A graduate student of anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Tavarelli has no formal training in art. While there he worked in the school's art gallery where the director "opened his eyes to art and creativity." Since that time his paintings have been widely exhibited in museums and galleries around the United States. His work is contained in many private and public collections including The Boston Public Library, Chase Manhattan Bank, NYC and Sonesta Hotels to mention a few. Tavarelli is currently Adjunct Associate Professor, Studio Chair at Boston College.