Bio
Originally from Buffalo, NY- Tara Bystran lives in Washington DC, where she currently teaches at Eastern Senior High, and attends graduate school at the George Washington University. She has a BA in Philosophy and a BFA in Painting, both from SUNY Buffalo.
Website: www.TaraBystran.com
Email: tbystran@gmail.com

Artist’s Statement
There is nothing surprising or new about suffering for an artist or any other person on this planet. Still, no matter what level of adversity a person faces, be it trivial or the substantial challenges of loss, impoverishment, prejudice or addiction- I feel the biggest overlooked source of suffering is in fact boredom, apathy, or stagnation.
You have only to recall the last time you forgot about a vase of flowers to know exactly what I am talking about. Those stems were divorced from their roots and the light of the sun. Their stillness has turned, inevitably, to rot. Our modern world has countless avenues of entertainment which promise fulfillment in darkened rooms, and virtual interactions instead of personal contact.
Though I am as guilty of succumbing to mindless entertainment’s thrall as the next drone, I am pained by its total lack of nourishment. It is much like eating a giant pile of processed sugar when what your body really wants is a piece of fruit.
As the teacher of many students who have more right to complain than anyone I have ever met, I still find that their most frequent complaint is of boredom. I have been aiming my lessons and my explorations in art at ousting this creeping malaise that seems to lay claim to virtually everyone - especially during the winter months.
The enemies of the virtual are the natural, the personal, the sublime in nature and human interaction. My paintings explore the themes of realization, of rebirth, of hope and the humor that keeps us sane in the face of suffering. I want to make use of and explore the foils of stagnation.
While it may be easier to slip into an internet/video-induced coma, it is infinitely richer to move about in the terrifying and beautiful world we already have (with no monthly bandwidth charge.) The rawness of life in its many extremes is what makes the experience sacred to me, and trying to mete this out in small painted doses keeps me from being, well- bored.
It is my hope that this work will inspire discussion, more work, and you to walk out into our city this spring with a determination to look twice, and engage yourself.

Current Exhibitions
April through June:
Exit Capitol Realty
PENN QUARTER OFFICE
707 D Street NW | Washington, DC 20004
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday

July through August:
Exit Capitol Realty
GEORGETOWN OFFICE
1033 31st St NW | Washington, DC 20007
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday