TAYLA HART
Finding Grace in Broken Spaces, watercolor and ink, 10”x8”, 2023
In Finding Grace in Broken Spaces, I confront life's intricate challenges, navigating the juncture between brokenness and wholeness. This visual narrative delves into my journey, woven with hardship, optimism, and shattered moments.
Each aspect of life feels like a piece of a complex puzzle, burdened with its own difficulties. Yet, I choose not to succumb to self-pity, choosing instead to embrace these trials as avenues for growth. Resilience, I've learned, often emerges from the fabric of adversity.
This self-portrait encapsulates my existence's dichotomy. My third eye remains closed, a metaphor for the challenges that have obscured my vision and tested my resolve. Yet, despite the tears that stain the canvas, there is an undeniable sense of beauty and grace emerging from the broken spaces.
Console Connections, watercolor and ink, 8”x8”, 2023
Console Connection delves into the heart of shared joy and familial ties, using the iconic Nintendo Switch controller as a visual metaphor. This piece reflects on the tradition of bonding through gaming with my siblings, continuing across various gaming systems throughout my life. The artwork celebrates the fusion of technology and human connection, emphasizing the continued importance of shared moments in the ever-changing landscape of modern relationships.
Reflections of a Wounded Artist, watercolor and ink, 8”x8”, 2023
In this self-portrait, I depict a moment of introspection, curled on a couch with a book titled "How to Not Crumble into a Ball of Despair as an Artist When You Receive Rejection." The composition invites viewers into the private realm of an artist's journey, acknowledging the challenges and emotional toll inherent in the pursuit of artistic endeavors. In the act of reading, there is an attempt to find solace and understanding, to seek guidance in the face of setbacks. I aim to convey the universal experience of grappling with rejection and the relentless pursuit of resilience.
Joyful Simulations: Gaming, Baking, and Friendship, watercolor and ink, 8”x10”, 2023
In Joyful Simulations, I embody a gaming character as my friend and I create Sims together. The accompanying journaling text conveys heartfelt gratitude for my friend's thoughtful gestures. Our shared virtual adventures and tangible moments harmonize, illustrating the shared happiness and simple pleasures that define the essence of our bond.
Navigating Vulnerability, 2023, watercolor and ink, 8”x8”
Navigating Vulnerability captures the paradoxical beauty in acknowledging one's limitations. Today may have been tough, but the artwork stands as a testament to the relief found in embracing vulnerability so that tonight offers some relief. Through this piece, I invite viewers to reflect on their own struggles with control and avoidance, fostering a sense of connection and understanding in the shared human experience.
The journaling piece accompanying the artwork highlights a conscious effort to abandon the isolating habit of self-reliance. It serves as a reminder that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an acknowledgment of the complexities inherent in life. The realization that avoidance only exacerbates challenges and fuels a commitment to confront difficulties head-on.
Why Water Street?
My artwork at Water Street aims to immerse viewers in a shared exploration of the human experience. By embracing a spectrum of emotions, it offers solace and celebration amidst the anxiety often associated with personal challenges and medical settings. Inspired by my own journey navigating the complexities of women’s healthcare, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin holds a special place in my heart and I am grateful for their support in my care and now support in providing a platform for my voice. I am honored to give back through my art. I aspire to provide comfort to viewers, echoing Planned Parenthood's ethos of fostering understanding, empowerment, and resilience.
More about the artist:
Tayla Hart embarked on her artistic journey as a face and body artist at eight, transitioning to traditional mediums by thirteen. With a passion for painting nurtured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and through working beside her mother and sister, she primarily works with oils, watercolor, gouache, and ink. Complementing her artistry, Tayla pursued an associate's degree in science, enriching her understanding of human nature, psychology, and anatomy.
Beyond formal education, Tayla's immersion in advocacy, activism, and youth development profoundly influences her art. This fusion of experiences shapes her creations, infusing them with thought-provoking themes and incisive social commentary. Her art serves as a powerful conduit for personal introspection and societal reflection, inviting viewers to engage with layered narratives woven into each piece, offering glimpses into individual experiences and broader collective consciousness.
