Currents 35: Tara Donovan

New York-based artist Tara Donovan is emerging as one of the most talented artists of her generation, with a particular strength in site-specific installations. Donovan regenerates common manufactured materials such as Styrofoam, straight pins, straws, and buttons into biomorphic shapes through singular accumulations. Inspired by system-based artists from the 1960s like Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, and Chuck Close, Donovan adheres to a process of utilizing one manufactured material with a unique solution for assemblage, whether it’s stacking, gluing, sticking or folding. Her process transforms the prosaic products into spectacular organic forms that belie their material composition. Her exhibition in the Contemporary Galleries at the Milwaukee Art Museum will be comprised of several of her iconic installations in addition to new work.