Cheryl Tall’s sculpture uses metaphor and myth to create a surrealistic Alice in Wonderland world. Her work touches on social and environmental issues, relationships, belonging and displacement, nostalgia, inherited histories, and our search for meaning and place.

She works with clay, metal, canvas, paint, altered books, tiles, cement, printmaking and photography. By using textured pinch marks in the clay, and layers and layers of glaze, slip and oxides, she creates a rich surface with the muted colors of old tapestry.

Ranging in size from 7 inches to 7 feet tall, the figures have a primitive realism feel, inspired by the artist’s love of 12th century sculpture. She is most intrigued by the face. The eyes have a dreamy and faraway look. Perhaps they are thinking about lovers, travel, or a mysterious past.

Myths and dream imagery have been a recurring theme in much of Tall’s work. By combining contemporary references with ancient stories, Tall seeks to explore the nature of being human.