Tavar Zawacki | |
|---|---|
 Tavar Zawacki in his Berlin studio. | |
| Born | Tavar Zawacki 1981 (age 42–43) San Francisco, California |
| Education | Self-taught |
| Known for | Abstract art Geometric abstraction Op Art Hard-Edge Painting Stenciling Trompe-l'œil Printmaking |
| Movement | Public art, stenciling, street art |
| Website | tavarzawacki |
Tavar Zawacki formerly known as 'ABOVE' (born 1981) is an American abstract artist living and working between Berlin, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal.[1] For twenty years (1996–2016) Tavar Zawacki created and signed all of his artworks with his street artist pseudonym, 'ABOVE'.[2] Tavar was born and raised in California until the age of 19, at which time, Zawacki bought a one-way flight from California to Paris, France, bringing with him a backpack full of art supplies, all the money in his bank account (US$1,500), and a 'rise above your fears' approach to starting his art career.[1] Starting in Paris in 2000, Tavar transitioned from painting traditional letter style graffiti of A-B-O-V-E, to his 'Above arrow' icon that represented his optimistic mentality to 'rise above fears, challenges, and anything holding you back from your goals.'[1] During a 20-year period, the artworks of ABOVE could be seen in over 80 cities spanning 35 countries around the world.[3]
In January 2017, Zawacki decided to step out of his self-imposed shadow of anonymity, and start creating, and signing artworks with his real birth name – allowing more freedom of creative exploration, as well as liberation from the arrow icon he has associated himself with. Tavar Zawacki's painting styles with his large scale mural works, as well as his indoor fine art are characterized by the use of hard-edge painting, color field, geometric abstraction, Op art, and trompe-l'œil painting styles.[2] Zawacki has been showcasing his work in galleries and creative institutions around the world since 2005.[2]
- ^ a b c "Biography". tavarzawacki.com. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ a b c Tavar Zawacki, Metamorphosis. Germany: Urban Spree Books, 2017 page155. ISBN 978-3-9819026-0-0
- ^ *Above:Passport, October 2011. ISBN 978-1-937222-03-1