Sylvia Tarvet

Born and brought up in Fife, Scotland, Sylvia Tarvet holds a psychology degree from St. Andrews University and a First Class degree in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. As an undergraduate she was the recipient of the Ede and Ravenscroft Award in her 2nd Year and of the Ian Eadie Award for Drawing and Painting in 4th Year.  She was also chosen to exhibit in the RSA New Contemporaries Exhibition 2018.

Sylvia enjoys the physical nature of working with paint and clay which lends itself to the solidity of the human subject matter of her work. She is interested in the effect that emotion and experience can have on physical appearance, seeing the body as a psychological and emotional expression of identity. Throughout her work, she relies on physical forms to explore complex emotional life.

The porcelain girls' dresses, which are part of her ‘Dance’ series, are an exploration of the notion of ‘absence’, often more acutely experienced than a person or object’s presence. Tarvet’s use of porcelain as a medium allows each piece to find its own particular character as it moves in unique ways during the firing process. The individuality and fluidity of the pieces reflect the fragility and mundane beauty of life.