Tel:
Email: normatalma@gmail.com
Website: www.normatalma.com
Artist Statement, June 2010
I love paper. I make handmade paper collages, print linocuts and draw on these "Paper Paintings". I create paper collages using handmade paper that has been poured, shaped, embedded, colored, textured, printed and layered, often becoming sculptural. Each edition of the linocuts and the drawings are on "paper paintings" making each one different and unique.
Most of my handmade paper is made from indigenous fibers such as banana-leaf stems, wild cotton and corn husks. But, more importantly, the paper is simply a vehicle to express my feelings and thoughts. My observations of the changing landscape and the natural environment serve as a microscopic study for human existence, the dynamics of color, line, texture, form and rhythm present an opportunity to make statements about my psychological and spiritual life. They are paper poems that speak of the beginnings of life and the passages of time, incorporating autobiographical iconography and images of Amerindian and other early civilizations. Biblical, geological and space travel discoveries have also informed my art work. These themes have evolved from my initial and ongoing reaction to and fascination with the tropical sun and landscape, and through extensive explorations of space, light and time in the Caribbean. My color palette ranges from vibrant brilliant colors to more subtle earth tones.
NORMA TALMA
Born: New York City, U.S.A. December 11th, 1936
1962: Arrived in Barbados
EDUCATION:
1954: High School Diploma: Walden School. New York City, U.S.A
1956: Summer Art School: Institute de Allende. Mexico
1958: B.A., Sarah Lawrence College. Bronxville, New York, U.S.A.
1959: Teacher's certificate. Bank Street School of Education. New York City, U.S.A.
1960: Graduate studies in Art Education: New York University. U.S.A.
1983, 1982, l981: Handmade paper workshops: Carriage House Paper, and Aeolian of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Anderson Arts Center. Colorado, U.S.A.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2010: Phoenix. Aweipo Gallery. Barbados
2004: Lifetime Achievement Award Exhibition. Grand Salle. Central bank of Barbados
2004: Poetry in paper. Zemicon Gallery. Barbados.
1988: Sculptural Collages of Handmade Paper. Art and Antiques. Christiansted, St. Croix, V.I.
1986: Norma Talma. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados.
1981: On Paper. Talma Mill Art Gallery. Barbados.
1969: January Show: Norma Talma. Pelican Art Gallery. Barbados.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2009/2008: Black Diaspora Visual Arts Exhibition. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados
2008. Naples Art Association Founders Juried Awards Exhibition. The von Liebig Art Center. Naples, Florida
2007.Dedicated to the Island: Three Generations of Women Artists in Barbados. Zemicon Gallery. Barbados
2005: Big. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados
2005: Look at the Window, Not Through It: Towards Abstraction: Zemicon Gallery, Barbados
2008, 2004/2005: Barbadiana. Brussels, Paris, Montreal, Ottawa, Barbados
1990: Selected Works from the Art Collection Foundation of Barbados. Museum of Modern Art of Latin America. OAS. Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
1987: The Art of Giving. Harrisbrown Gallery Boston, U.S.A.
1987: Caribbean. Inaugural Exhibition. Gallery Caribe. Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.
1986/87: Caribbean Art Now. Commonwealth Institute, New Walk Museum, and Derby City Museum. U.K.
1986: Contemporary Art of Barbados. Museum of Modern Art of Latin America, OAS, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
l986: Miniatures. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados
1985: Scope. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados.
1985: National Collection Exhibition. Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados
1981: On Paper. Talma Mill Art Gallery. Barbados
1974: Pintores de Barbados. Galeria Conac, Venezuela
1971: 1967: Bienniel de Sao Paulo. Brazil
AWARDS
2005; Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts. Collector's Club. Barbados
1985: Art Collection Foundation Light and Power Purchase Award for collage: "Evening Clouds"
1985: Award for best mixed media in exhibition: "Celebration". Queen's Park Gallery. Barbados.
1969: ILO 50th Anniversary Art Competition. Pelican Art Gallery. Barbados.
1967: Expo '67 Sculpture Competition. 2nd Prize. Barbados
1967: Silver medal (collage). Barbados Annual Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Ilaro Court. Prime Minister's Residence. Barbados
Government House. Governor-General"s Residence. Barbados
Barbados Gallery of Art. Barbados
National Art Collection. Barbados
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Chairperson and permanent member: Advisory Committee to the Herman C. Stoute Memorial Fund, University of the West Indies. Barbados
Lecturer for organizations; American, Canadian and British Women's Club, Flower Arranging Society etc.
Lecturer and Coordinator of series: Barbados Heritage, Barbados Community College
Founding member: Association of Art Teachers. Barbados
Deputy Chairperson: Board of Management, Queen's College, Barbados
Instructor in classes in drawing, painting, design and papermaking. Talma Mill Art Studio. Barbados
Art Teacher: Presentation College, and Ursuline Convent. Barbados.
Teacher. Public School 8, N.Y.C.,
Student teacher: Sarah Lawrence Nursery School, Bronxville,, N.Y.
Aide to School Psychologist for Ossining Public Schools. N.Y.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Member: National Art Gallery Committee (Barbados Government, l998-2008)
President & Founding Member of Art Collection Foundation, Inc., which in l984 became the Barbados Gallery of Art
Founding Member of Barbados ICOM (International Council of Museums)
Project Coordinator and Consultant to St. Lucia Government: Papermaking
Owner and Manager of Talma Mill Art Gallery and Studio
Curator of numerous art exhibitions in Barbados and exhibits sent overseas to represent Barbados
Deputy Chairperson: National Cultural Foundation
Chairperson of Queen's Park Gallery, and guest curator
Deputy chairperson of National Advisory Council on Culture: Chairperson, Visual Arts Sub-committee
Chairperson & Founding Member: Very Special Arts, Barbados
National Committee for Carifesta '81: Chairperson of Visual Arts Committee
Chairperson of Visual Arts Committee: Barbadian representation Carifesta '79
Chairperson of Visual Arts Committee of Barbados Arts Council
ART LINKS
National Art Gallery Collection www.nagc.bb
GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
Aweipo Gallery, The Crane, St Philip. Aweipo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Aweipo.Gallery
Tides Art Gallery, Tides, Holetown St James www.tidesartgallery.com