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Public Lecture Series

Tamara Deverell

Event Location

Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library

Event Date & Time

November 26, 2026 7:00 pm

Courtesy of Netflix

Artist Statement

As an artist whose career has been shaped through film, I am drawn to stories and artwork that illuminate the complexity of the human experience. Whether exploring hardship, resilience, or joy, I seek narratives that reflect the richness of lived experience and expand our understanding of one another.

As a Production Designer, filmmaker, and storyteller, I am committed to projects that centre distinctive perspectives
and challenge conventional narratives. I believe production design is fundamental to storytelling. Through architecture, colour, texture, composition, and spatial design, I create environments that deepen atmosphere, reveal
character, and give each location or studio set its own emotional presence.

My practice is grounded in collaboration, where the exchange of ideas strengthens every creative decision. The most compelling films emerge from a shared artistic vision, with every department—from cinematography and costume design to sound and performance—contributing to a cohesive and meaningful whole. While visual language is the foundation of production design, my foremost responsibility is to serve the story by building authentic, immersive worlds that support both its emotional truth and its imaginative possibilities.

For me, production design is about more than creating beautiful images. It is the art of shaping worlds that feel livedin, evocative, and emotionally resonant—spaces that invite audiences to step fully into a film and connect deeply with the people and stories it contains.

About the Artist

With over 35 years in film and television, Tamara Deverell has shaped some of the most visually striking worlds in contemporary cinema. A longtime collaborator of film Director, Guillermo del Toro, she recently completed the feature film “Frankenstein”, which earned her and her team an Academy Award, a BAFTA, an Art Directors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Award in 2026. She was also awarded an Emmy for her work on del Toro’s acclaimed Netflix anthology series “Cabinet of Curiosities”. Her production design for “Nightmare Alley” received Academy Award and BAFTA nominations, as well as the Art Directors Guild Award for Best Period Feature. Other credits include “Priscilla” with Sofia Coppola, “Star Trek: Discovery”, and “The Strain” for FX. Based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Tamara continues to bring her artistry, architectural vision, and cinematic imagination to projects that blend the handmade with the fantastical.