Tara McPherson Helps Support Michigan ACLU + Flint Child Health & Development Fund With New Editions
We are excited to welcome back one of our longest running 1xRUN artists Tara McPherson, who joins us to help raise awareness for the Flint Water Crisis, as she bring us Fractal Fountain as part of the 1xRUN Flint Water Crisis Print Suite! A portion of the proceeds from these editions will be donated to Flint Child Health & Development Foundation and the Michigan ACLU! Joining the likes of Robbie Conal, Shepard Fairey, Brandon Boyd, Ron English and Aiko we couldn’t be happier to offer Tara’s latest release part of this series! Be sure to snag yours before it is sold out and help support two great organizations! You can find more updates from ACLU and Detroit Metro Times on the ongoing situation in Flint as we close in on 4 years since it has come to the forefront and you can read on below to find out more about the latest edition from Tara McPherson. . .
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this imagery?
Tara McPherson: I painted this piece as a continued exploration with my fascination with water. Water as a cleanser, water as a source of life, water as a protector. I see her as a water deity and a helpful soul.
1x: Was this image part of a recent theme, series or show that you have?
McPherson: It’s definitely an evolution on the water concept I have been putting into some pieces lately, water flowing out of chests, characters submerged in water, etc.
1x: When was this piece created and what materials were used to create this original painting? How long did this piece take to create from start to finish?
McPherson: It took a couple weeks to draw and paint her. It was done in late 2017 using oil paint on a birch panel. The original is available through Red Truck Gallery.
1x: Tell us how the idea and execution came about for this image?
McPherson: I was just working out a bunch of ideas of women with these flowing lines, they were kind of morphing between magnetic fields and water spouts, and I sketched this. It just stood out to me as a strong image and I knew it had to be my next painting.
1x: Why should people buy this one of these prints?
McPherson: To support this charity project to help Flint, and to help spread the importance of water conservation.
1x: You’ve spent some time here in Michigan with us here in Detroit, when did you first hear about what had happened up in Flint and what was your initial response? McPherson: I was just horrified when I heard about the people in Flint. It is completely unacceptable and those at fault need to be held accountable with some serious repercussions. That simply should not be happening in this day and age. Period.
1x: As an artist how important do you feel it is to help bring to light these social issues and draw attention to them with your social media following and with the artwork itself?
McPherson: Extremely important. I wouldn’t say I’m a political artist, but to be able to use certain themes within my work that have parallels with our lives and be able to inspire a positive response is key.
1x: Who are some of your favorite artists that are also activists, and what effect has their attitude had on you and wanting to do the same type of thing?
McPherson: Swoon, Shepard Fairey and Olek. I see that one can create personal work that has layers of meaning, and can highlight important issues, while still being a beautiful and strong piece of art.
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
McPherson: I am going on tour this summer doing a Pop Up Shop tour throughout a large portion of the US in 15 cities. I also just confirmed my next solo exhibition with Dorothy Circus Gallery in Rome and London for May 2020.
