Deborah Tarr describes the process of painting as a ‘conundrum’ – a constant cycle of decision making and self-discipline. In her works, removal and restraint are often more important than adding the next thing. Her paintings are tangible and conceptual, but even in the most reductive and abstract paintings there is an organic, living line. With so much thought put into each brushstroke, finding this balance between abstraction and figuration is what Tarr does best. While some pieces are more clearly depictions of ‘somewhere’, other works might refer to a moment in the artist’s life. Tarr’s range is vast, varied and personal, and there is a world to discover in each painting, giving us an insight into the environments the artist inhabits.
"The abstract paintings of Deborah Tarr are a forceful reminder of the celebratory power of colour and its ability to work with subtlety on our spirit and emotions."
Vanessa Jackson RA
Tarr’s paintings emphasise their own materiality, her output is fine-tuned and each painting becomes a complete and individual object. This is defined as much by the grain of the canvas and the application of colour, as by the careful choice of frame. Sourcing and choosing the frame is a vital part of Tarr’s artistic process. From antique and reclaimed to clean and modern custom-made frames, the juxtaposition of traditional and modern, organic and man-made, is what makes her work unique, powerful and universal.
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Detachment, 2025oil on linen51cm x 46cm (20" x 18")
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Dirty Pink Moon, 2025oil on linen26cm x 20cm (10" x 8")
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Lake Districtoil on linen20cm x 25cm (7.9" x 9.8")
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Lapis Lazuli, 2025oil on linen150cm x 115cm (59" x 45")
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Mirage, 2025oil on linen57cm x 67cm (22" x 26")
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Mr Sunshine, 2025oil on linen20cm x 15cm (8" x 6")
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Orb, 2025oil on linen43cm x 41cm (17" x 16")
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Peaks, 2025oil on linen100cm x 85cm (39" x 33")
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Rare Earth I, 2025oil on canvas23cm x 23cm (9" x 9")
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Rare Earth II, 2025oil on canvas23cm x 23cm (9" x 9")
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Rare Earth III, 2025oil on canvas23cm x 23cm (9" x 9")
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Recumbent Rocks, 2025oil on linen41cm x 49cm (16" x 19")
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New Paintings
Deborah Tarr 4 - 23 Nov 2019 LondonFrom pure abstraction to varying levels of representation, some pieces are clearly of ‘somewhere’, often inspired by location; other works might refer to a moment in the artist’s life –...Read more -
Deborah Tarr
Deborah Tarr 8 - 26 Oct 2018 LondonAssembled over the last two years, this collection of work by Deborah Tarr is influenced by travels to Cornwall, to the Lake District and to Europe. Sometimes the name stamps...Read more
Deborah Tarr studied painting at the Winchester School of Art, earning her BA in 1988. Since then, her beautifully designed abstract works have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Britain and the United States. She has been represented by Cadogan since 2002. Her career has gone from strength to strength and her base of collectors is extensive and truly international.
EDUCATION
1995-88 |
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting, Winchester School of Art, Winchester, UK. |
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 |
'The Archaic Landscape', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. |
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'Shelter Island', Cadogan Gallery, Milan, Italy. |
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2022 |
'Selected Works', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. |
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2020 |
'New Paintings', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. |
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2017 |
'Pulse', Miami. LPH Arts, New York, USA. |
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2016 |
'Nobu', Miami. LPH Arts, New York, USA. |
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2000 |
'Olympia'. Max Rollitt Gallery, London, UK. |
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1998 |
Bruton Gallery, New York, USA. |
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1994 |
Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, UK. |
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS AND FAIRS
2023 |
Summer Exhibition, Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. |
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2016-2017 |
Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary, Florida, USA. GrayMCA. |
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2017 |
Context, Miami Art Fair, Miami, USA. Art Bastion. |
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Art Hamptons, New York, USA. Art Bastion. |
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The Ned, London, UK. |
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2015 |
British Art Fair, Kensington, London, UK. GrayMCA. |
COLLECTIONS
Numerous international private collections.
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Cadogan Gallery Opens New London Flagship in Belgravia | Article | Ocula News
Ocula News, September 25, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY: A GROUP EXHIBITION | ARTICLE | MEDIA E SIPARIO
Media e sipario, August 29, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY: A GROUP EXHIBITION | ARTICLE | POLITICAMENTECORRETTO
politicamentecorretto.com, July 29, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY ANNOUNCEMENT | INSIDEART
Inside Art, July 3, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY ANNOUNCEMENT | ARTICLE | ARTDAILY
Artdaily, June 29, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT | ARTICLE | ARTNET
Artnet, June 28, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY ANNOUNCEMENT | ARTICLE | EXIBART
EXIBART, June 27, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY ANNOUNCEMENT | ARTICLE | ARTSLIFE
Carolina Belfiore, ArtsLife, June 27, 2024 -
CADOGAN GALLERY ANNOUNCEMENT | ARTICLE | FAD MAGAZINE
Mark Westall, FAD Magazine, June 27, 2024 -
DEBORAH TARR | COUNTRY AND TOWN HOUSE | MENTION
Emma Love, Country and Town House, July 6, 2023 -
CADOGAN GALLERY | WORLD ARCHITECTURE NEWS | MENTION
Séan Thurgood, World Architecture News, August 29, 2022 -
DEBORAH TARR | JANINE STONE & CO
Nico Kos Earle, Janine Stone & Co, March 16, 2018 -
DEBORAH TARR | THE SOPHIA NEWS
Quentin Slade , The Sophia News, December 18, 2017 -
DEBORAH TARR | HOUSE & GARDEN
House & Garden Magazine , October 1, 2013