The Artistic Evolution of Tamar Getter
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1953, Tamar Getter is an Israeli painter, installation artist, performance artist, and teacher. Her formal artistic training began at the Hamidrasha Art School between 1971 and 1972, where she studied painting under Raffi Lavie. This period marked the beginning of her career as she quickly gained recognition as a promising young artist. Her academic background is further enriched by studies in Poetics and Comparative Literature at Tel Aviv University, as well as art studies at the State Art Teaching Training College in Ramat Hasharon. Throughout her career, Getter has expanded her horizons through time spent in New York and Germany.
Technique and Thematic Exploration
Getter’s work is characterized by a distinct collagist approach, often combining materials and elements that are not typically paired together. In her Tel Hai cycle, she utilized monochromatic scales and materials not traditionally considered "artistic" to engage with themes of heroism, sight, blindness, and the human form. Her technique often involves mixed media, such as photography and drawing, and the use of mechanical tools like plumb lines or squeegees of paint. In later works, such as Double Monster (1996) and the The Asia Society's Building series (2003), her practice explores the tension between logic and the grotesque, often reconstructing idealistic structures to highlight the insufficiency of the human body.
Throughout her distinguished career, Getter has received several honors, including:
