TARA SHAKTI
The Artist
Tara Shakti was born and raised in Madagascar among family artists. She started painting at age of 7 under her brother's instructions.
She studied at the Drouot Formation in Paris, receiving the "Consultant spécialiste du marché de l'art" diploma in 2018, and the Accademia d'arte di Firenze diploma in 2017. Shakti currently resides and works outside of Paris, France.
Since her first show in 2009, Shakti’s work has been shown in major galleries and institutions throughout the world. Her work has been showcased in France at Château de Mirambeau in France (June 7 -July, 31, 2019), the Carrousel du Louvre (October 20-22, 2017) and on view at the Group Show ArtLigre (2009); In New York at the World Art Fair (June 1-30, 2017), and "Spiritual art Thérèse de Lisieux" (2014); Italy in Roma Group Show “Beauty and Elegance” (February 2017) and her native Madagascar at the Origin Africa exhibit (November 3-5, 2016) and the "Au-delà de l'apparence" (October 18-31, 2016).
Shakti is known for her works that deal with the struggle of empowerment and identity of women in patriarchal societies and the inner struggles of women through the centuries portrayed in transformative series "Au-delà de l'apparence" and "Divine Comédie".
Recently, Shakti focused on the enslavement of women through seen and unseen chains and exertion of the self in the face of human bondage portrayed in her série "Archives" work
(2019-2020). This period of her work provokes thought on how women of all ages, nationalities and faiths have been forced into submissive, subservient and even subhuman roles in society to satisfy the cravings of a domineering male society. There were generations of women who sat in silence and endured these atrocities.
Shakti has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her cultural achievements. Recently, Shakti has received the Mosaic 2019 exposé award against human trafficking in New York for her series Archives, the Zama Award in Paris (2019) and the Special Prize at Le Carrousel du Louvre in Paris (2017) with her alchemy work "Transmutation".
Shakti donates % of the revenues from art sales to the betterment and care of children, especially orphanages, in home country Madagascar, where so many shockingly struggle with even the most basic ressources. She hopes to provide a path forward for these children.
Exhibitions
2019. june 7-july 31 : Château de Mirambeau France
2017. oct 20-22 : Carrousel du Louvre Paris
2017. june 01-30 : World Art Fair Chelsea New York
2017. feb : Group Show "beauty and elegance" Roma
2016. nov 03-05 : Origin Africa, Madagascar
2016. oct 18-31 : Au-delà de l'apparence, Madagascar
2014. Spiritual art Thérèse de Lisieux, Broadway
2009. Group Show ArtLigre, Paris
Awards
2019. Mosaic 2019 exposé NEW YORK
2019. Zama PARIS
2017. Special Prize at Le Carrousel du Louvre PARIS
Artist statement
Woman of all ages, nationalities and faiths have been forced into submissive, subservient and even subhuman roles in society to satisfy the cravings of a domineering male society. There were generations of women who sat in silence and endured these atrocities.
Exploring the thoughts from another dimension is a big challenge as the women I paint are ethereal. Their thought appear futuristic, other worldly, multi-dimensional. Their focus is on the future, not simply what they have gone through in their past.
I use acrylic painting on canvas for its fast-drying pigment and ink mixed with charcoal for works on paper.
My goal is to raise awareness and ignite conversations about who women are, what they can do and what they will do for gender equality and global justice for all. As art remains one of ways to share thoughts, it is my engagement to stand up for nations of women united. It is a long and difficult journey but united can be done. It takes courage to effect changes in society, and sacrifices must be made. Courage can come from conversations that give people a platform to speak their mind.
