The café at Serpentine North Gallery was the perfect venue for an artist talk with Tamara Jovandić-Everson. Her work seemed to fit right in with the sensual curves of Zaha Hadid’s architectural designs. The invited guests, followers and enthusiastic collectors of Tamara’s work, were ready to ask questions. The event took the form of a conversation with Tim Gough, an architect and old friend of Tamara’s.
The discussion began with Tamara’s early interest in art. Born into a family of architects, she was exposed to the world of design from an early age, an influence that has shaped her artistic practice and her Sisyphus series. Here, architecture and art come together in a psychological and philosophical space.
She spoke about her father’s legacy. Slobodan Jovandić’s Brutalist architecture has left a lasting mark on cities across the former Yugoslavia, including Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tamara reflected on how his distinctive designs have shaped these cities and spoke poignantly about the comfort she finds in seeing her late father’s work still standing. However, she worries that his architectural legacy is gradually being lost amid funding challenges, construction costs and new developments.
The Sisyphus series explores the relationship between the human form, memory, time and architecture. Buildings become metaphors for human persistence, with their endless stairways and corridors reflecting continuous construction that time will inevitably undo. These structures echo the myth of Sisyphus, who was condemned by the gods to push a boulder up a hill for eternity. Tamara also reflected on the “absurdity of life” in relation to the myth and her work. The human figures in this series are often depicted as overwhelmed by imposing structures, displaced and fragile in their loneliness.
Tamara works across a range of media, including acrylic, ink, sand, charcoal and pastel. Her practice focuses on the unrefined. She works closely with models, allowing their stories and the creative process to shape the narratives of her paintings.
Tamara Jovandić-Everson’s work will be exhibited at Manchester Art Fair, taking place from 19-22 November 2026.
Written by Tamara Greatrex
