Today we’d like to introduce you to Tal Avitzur.
Hi Tal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to the art world when I moved into artist Irma Cavat’s house while attending college in Santa Barbara. Irma was a painter who had lived in New York and Rome and was a college professor when I met her. I became her studio assistant. The house was on a few acres with an avocado and fruit orchard and a few studios. Artists from around the world would often visit. It was there I met kinetic sculptor George Rickey and began working for him. Through another college professor, I met ceramicist Beatrice Wood in Ojai and began working for her as well. Through these connections and others, I was impressed with the peace, joy and wonder in the artists’ lives. I began creating art after I purchased a fixer-upper home and had little money left over for repairs. As I visited scrap and salvage yards in search of parts to improve the house, I began collecting things from the yards that I considered treasures but were not needed for the repairs. After a few years, my gardening shed was full of items such as vintage kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, tools and scientific equipment. I decided it was time to do something with all the material for fear of being labeled a crazy hoarder. Luckily, my very patient sculptor friend Ken Bortolazzo was generous with his time and taught me what I needed to get me started on my creative path.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Interesting scrap yard finds seem to be getting more difficult to find. It may be due to the local scrap yards making more frequent trips to bigger yards. Luckily I have a large stash of material from what I’ve been collecting for many years. Also, there are a few kind souls out there that deliver to me objects that they come upon that they think the crazy artist will like.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My sculptures are most definitely inspired by the comics and sci-fi/fantasy books and movies from my youth. A piece begins with a shape that may remind me of a robot head, a rocketship, the body part of a creature or simply a beautiful base for a lamp. Assembling the rest of the components is almost like putting together a puzzle, trying out different pieces until I get something I consider a nice combination of parts.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am fortunate to have world-class glass artist Saul Alcaraz as a friend. Saul is always enthusiastic when I bring to him a piece that is in need of his magic, whether it is a glass cockpit for a spaceship, a glass brain for a robot, a glass thorax for an insect or simply a glass cover for a lamp.
Pricing:
- Range from $800 to $3,000
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://talbotics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talbotics
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/talbotics-sculpture-studio-santa-barbara
