Sarah’s paintings immediately drew me in from the moment I saw them. They are gentle and raw but also (or because of that) so powerful at the same time. I always feel at peace when I look at them.
I also really love the colours used, they are so vivid and bright, and also the many details of every painting, which you may at times get lost in (in a good way), but always also form a whole.
For the following I asked Sarah if she wants to do an interview with me:
Luna Maluna Gri: Tell me a bit about yourself and your work
Sarah Ghita: Hey, my name’s Sarah and I am 26 years old. I am living in Vienna, Austria, and probably consume too much coffee. I’ve always loved to express myself in artistic ways, such as photography, writing, since the pandemic also handpoking tattoos – but mostly painting. Last year I decided to listen to my heart instead of other people and become an artist, do what comes to me naturally instead of forcing things that aren’t there to make others happy. I feel my art represents me a lot: a bit chaotic but a love for detail. I mostly paint emotional processes and thoughts.
LMG: How and why did you start painting?
SG: As soon as I was developed enough to hold a pencil and try to express myself. I was a very introverted, shy, and dreamy kid. I wasn’t big on playing with other children or socializing a lot, so whenever I could I would grab a pencil or anything else that could be used as a drawing/painting tool and disappear for hours at a time in my own little world, which I perceived as much more comforting, predictable and rewarding than the real one (although I’d still argue that reality is definable).
LMG: What role does painting play for you?
SG: Painting still is my happy&safe place. It’s what gives me the option to express and process emotions that I have a hard time dealing with in everyday life, being my authentic self, and letting down my guard. I would describe it as behavior therapy, meditation, a retreat, confrontation, all in one. An interaction with my subconscious.
LMG: What does your creating process look like?
SG: I am a very chaotic and unorganized person. So it really varies each time depending on my emotional state, coffee intake, and emotional processes. Usually, the muse comes and visits me late at night, when the city starts falling asleep and everything seems to be a bit calmer and quieter, that’s when I start feeling and hearing myself a bit louder and clearer.
First things first though is always cleaning the brushes from the prior painting session, because I am always way too lazy to clean them straight after. What comes next is 2-3 hours of alternating between thinking I know exactly what colors to use and what I want to paint, realizing I am a perfectionist and probably will have to adjust to the reality of my abilities a little bit, improvise, having staring contests with the canvas and a lot of music always. A very regulating tool for me and my emotions, which probably play the biggest role in my art.
LMG: What inspires you?
SG: Humans really. The way they act, think, and are. I grew up with two very different cultures – my father is Egyptian and my mother Austrian. Which also means I’ve always been confronted with two at times very contradicting and paradoxical views which could be challenging but also extremely rewarding. I think that’s where my passion for humans, exploring their minds and psychology comes from. Art makes it possible to communicate with any human on a deeper level. Doesn’t matter which language one speaks, where one comes from or in which culture one grows up. Art breaks barriers, connects, gives you a little piece of insight into someone else’s world, in a way that words sometimes just can’t.
LMG: How does a normal creating day look like for you?
SG: If I actually do plan a creating day once in a while instead of impulsively following urges I start by having a lot of coffee, listening to music, and setting a relaxed and flowy mood for the day. I don’t like making any other plans on those days because I’d have to focus a bit on time which makes me feel pressured and that’s not really helpful if I want to paint. I might go through my social media, get some extra inspiration from there, and then chose a color palette, which I 100% will change anyways throughout the process.
LMG: What is something you can’t create without?
SG: The color white. That might sound super banal. But without it, I can’t create different shades in colors the way I like it, and using colors without mixing them is something I rarely do.
LMG: Is there something you want to change about the art world? If yes, what and why? What do you think is/are the role/-s of artists and art in our society?
SG: I said before that art connects and destroys barriers, but in the real art world it’s often the exact opposite. It can be very discriminating based on where you come from, your reputation and status, and your social connections. The problems in our world represent themselves in the art world as much as anywhere else. If I could change something it’d be all those things I said above, after all, it doesn’t matter where you tackle the problem, it’s a domino effect. As an artist, it is super important to be vocal about things that are important to oneself I think, whatever those might be. That’s the beauty of it. We can take on any role we want, and I don’t think it should be any other way for art is a space to explore the depths of our universe and ourselves, and if there are rules and limitations that isn’t quite possible.
LMG: What artist/artists would you like to meet (dead or alive) and if you had one question what would you ask them?
SG: I would love to meet Frida Kahlo and Jean-Michelle Basquiat. And to be honest, I don’t have that one question, I mean, I have a lot, but I’d go in there trying not to think about the situation at all because that would make me way too nervous and improvise hoping that a conversation would form naturally.
LMG: Is there something you want to achieve in your art life? Dreams? Future plans? Or projects you would like to do?
SG: I secretly try to dare to dream big. I would love to one day be able to call painting my career and become a full-time artist, working on different projects with people all over the world. I am just at the beginning of my journey since it was only last year that I decided to really become an artist, so one step at a time: I’ll start with art school in October and am working towards my first exhibition this year (hopefully followed by many more), so let’s see where this path takes me.
LMG: Do you think there is something you can bring to this world through your work as an artist which you couldn’t in any other field of work?
SG: I hope so. I hope that my art speaks to others and makes them view the world from a different perspective, or makes them question their own – reaching people in a way that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. I hope it makes people feel emotions and feelings. But most of all I hope and try to trust that whatever direction this journey is going to take me exactly where I need to be, wherever that is, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Copyright to all artworks and photos: Sarah Ghita
