This illustrated zoom talk will cover a brief survey of the history of the tarot and its influence across a range of artistic expression. It will explore the impact of the tarot in the works of several Surrealist artists. Although a number of painters made separate tarot decks of their own, this talk will offer an exploration of where the imagery of the arcana has played an influential role in the creation of specific paintings and sculptures. The talk will look at a tarot influence in the work of artists such as Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Ithell Colquhoun, Bridget Tichenor, Enrique Chavarria, Salvador Dali, Nikki de Saint Phalle to name a few. It will also look at its role in more recent contemporary conjurings of the milieu- from fashion, photography, music to perfume. Finally, Hazel will introduce a few images from her own interdisciplinary tarot based project.

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Hazel Florez
Hazel Florez is a polyphonic, rhizomatic changeling, who floats through the astral realm sometimes transmogrifying into a mermaid whose tail is entirely made out of savoy cabbage leaves.  In an age of fast paced digital consumption, Florez’s paintings are made with the intention of drawing the viewer into a slower and meditative state of mind, where prolonged viewing is rewarded with intricate detail. Her paintings act like portals inviting the viewer to enter mythopoetic Otherworlds. Her work explores metamorphosis from both human and biocentric perspectives. Filled with esoteric symbolism, Hazel’s work is not without humour,  as she enjoys mixing reverence with playful irreverence. Other themes in her work include: Jungian archetypal psychology, sleep, dreams, trauma, healing, spiritual ecology, and the history of power.  She is a Bridgeman Images Studio artist.