TAVA
FOCUS @GLR60
April 2018
Antoine Tava "Heath Ledger" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Ol Dirty Bastard" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Randy Savage" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Ultimate Warrior" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "The King" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "The Dragon" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Uncle Buck" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "The King" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Amy Winehouse" Edition of 36
Print on paper
21" x 14"
Antoine Tava "Sugar High Club" Edition of 5
Print on paper
60" x 42"
Antoine Tavaglione (aka TAVA) is a Montreal-based painter, muralist, and illustrator. Not one to shy away from the spotlight, he has made waves with his controversial mix of Pop Art, political banter and high fashion. TAVA takes an omnivorous approach to both low and high culture, interacting with its symbols and cult figures through his tongue-in-cheek style and signature ‘dripping’ visual effect. Navigating between the artistic and commercial worlds, he places himself in the posterity of artists who have recognized and incorporated mercantile principles into their artistic practices.
TAVA first became known for his trademark illustration the "Screaming Heart". Charged with multiple meanings, his screaming heart not only refers to heartache, but also to the emotions that are suppressed, digested and repressed. Through the staging of these figures, TAVA aims to exteriorize these paralyzing emotions by juxtaposing them with the many humorous and political references that characterize his work.
TAVA has exhibited his work in New York, Miami, Toronto, Sao Paulo, Dubaï, and Barcelona, to name a few. After acquiring his Bachelor's degree in visual arts at Concordia University, he debuted his artistic career as an art director. He has collaborated with numerous companies such as Adidas, Nike, Vans, Toms, and Ford, and applied his own signature to products and commercial spaces.
An interview with Antoine Tava about how he is coping with the Coronavirus pandemic and his new at-home studio.
ARTICLE IN FRENCH | En septembre 2018, l’ouverture du « premier musée du street art » canadien a fait grand bruit à Montréal, capitale des arts du pays. La promesse était belle : 24 étages investis par 24 artistes et ouverts au public 24 heures sur 24… Le tout orchestré par une marque d’alcool. Intrigués, nous sommes allés voir cela de plus près : visite.
On s’attendait à un bâtiment remarquable au premier coup d’œil,haut et entièrement peinturluré… Mais rien de tel ne nous attendait avenue de Gaspé. Dans cette artère calme du quartier du Mile-End, immeubles de logements et bureaux se serrent pour faire face au froid hivernal. Pas (ou presque) de vitrines – tout se trouve à l’intérieur des bâtiments. (...) C’est donc ici que s’est glissé, de façon plutôt discrète au premier abord, le musée Romeo’s, dédié au street art.
Quebecer and Italian, Antoine Tavaglione likes to integrate his origins into his pop culture-inspired works. After studying animation cinema and working in a creative agency, the artist left the quietness of his office work to dedicate himself to his studio and mural production. His very first exhibition in 2011 already drew attention on his unique style: symbols with sticky and dripping cartoony characters. This metaphor of the dictatorship that brought him to find his own graphic identity is however far from being a recurring theme. Antoine Tava makes no secret of his insatiable fondness for both Italian and American pop culture. He multiplies references to the heroes of his childhood and adolescence with a blend of humor, satire and tribute. From Dubai to New York through Barcelona and Soa Paulo, his work has already been around.
A Conversation between Antoine TAVA and Estelle Gervais from The Fine Print Magazine.
Antoine Tavaglione AKA ‘TAVA’ is a Canadian visual artist with a signature style in pop art. He works with various mediums, from canvas to huge murals and brand collaborations. TAVA is today’s Notable Young Professional.
ARTICLE IN FRENCH - En 1982, Antoine Tavaglione ne se doutait pas que le calepin et le crayon empruntés à sa nonna (grand-mère) allaient devenir ses deux principaux instruments de travail. Les heures passées à inventer des histoires, élaborer des personnages et ponctuer de couleurs sa feuille blanche auront été déterminantes pour le gamin de 3 ans.
Antoine Tavaglione (aka TAVA)’s screaming hearts have become a signature visual for culturally driven Montrealers. His cartoon looking figures painted in a bright pastel color palette are the key elements to his excellent pop art. He precisely hands paints all his pieces regardless of the format. He has experience painting on canvas, murals, various objects and even products such as sneakers. His collaborations with corporations such as Nike and Adidas demonstrate his popularity and success.
Antoine TAVA is a Montreal-based pop artist. Renown for his “dripping” visual effects, from-Dubai-to-Brooklyn recognizable “screaming heart” icon, and dope Adidas SS sneakers series, he is an obvious pick for our first artist interview! We sat down with the painter/illustrator to talk cereal, Biggie Smalls and contemporary political issues.