Tara Dougans is a Tiohtià:ke / Montreal-based artist whose sculpture practice explores liminal listening through touch. Attending to the subtle sensory and ecophenomenological thresholds of contact, their focus on the fertile in-between is informed by over fifteen years of fieldwork with horses. Founded by Tara in 2020 and joined by artist poet Rachel Crummey in 2022, The Institute of Sensual Awareness, Language and Touch (SALT) is a multidisciplinary research vessel for collaborative practice. SALT’S research modalities are motivated by a curiosity towards non-linear forms of knowing and the emergent possibilities that lie at the intersection of creative and contemplative arts. We, a field, a web, a song.

Recent research activities include upcoming ‘Symmathesy’ at Anderson Ranch (CO 2027), ‘New Suns’ at Vermont Studio Center (VT 2026), SALT ‘All Drawing is of the Moment’ at JE/US (MTL 2025), ‘Interstitial Listening’ at Township10 (NC 2025), ‘Fluid Intelligence’ w/ Linda Rabin (MTL 2024) and SALT ‘Sympoeisis // Fruiting Bodies’ at the plumb (TO 2023) with gratitude for project support from the Canada Council of the Arts. Tara studied ceramics at Concordia University (MTL) and has exhibited nationally and internationally. They teach process-relational ceramics in Montreal and on Vancouver Island.