We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Albisser a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
For me, creativity is deeply intertwined with my personal experiences. I find inspiration in the themes that resonate with my own life. Rather than waiting for creativity to strike, I’ve learned that the best approach is to actively engage with my art. I just turn up at my studio and start working on stuff, experimenting and exploring different ideas is the way I do it. This process leads to unexpected discoveries and new directions. Currently, I’m in a phase where I am pushing the boundaries of my art by exploring new techniques and materials. This is both exciting and challenging. I have vivid images in my mind and some ideas have been brewing for months or even years, but translating these images and vision’s into a visual form can be a daunting. It can be an extremely frustrating process and at the same time incredibly rewarding to see my ideas gradually taking shape.
Sometimes, what initially seems like a roadblock turns out to be a break through towards something even greater. By excepting both the frustration and excitement that comes with creativity, I am able to stay motivated and continue pushing the boundaries of my art.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Over the past seventeen years I have been experimenting with black and white female characters. I was always fascinated with faces, expression, body and gesture. In my work I capture feelings, moods, and mental states. I never use images or photos, most of my works are created through improvisation. My work is inspired by strong female characters, who are original and have a powerful presence.
I like to explore different mediums, I have been working with thread, using the sewing machine, but also hand stitching through paper. I like the three dimensional effect I can achieve with this technique.
Then the second one is Ink on paper, creating large drawings of heads, I name them Wirehead’s. These drawings have evolved from a long history of sketching.! I call it structured improvisation; a combination of uncontrolled and controlled chaos with some identifiable characteristics. They represent the energy of thinking and the subconscious mind in movement and in the moment.
Third, I like to paint on board as the surface is firm and I can use different tools to apply the paint.
Because my work is really personal, I pick themes and subjects which are relevant to me at the time. Which means I can explore and process things which are important to me and take them through a creative process into a visual expression.
Over the past two years I have been exploring a more minimal, surreal style as an extension of my other work. What I have realised is that it is easier to fill a space than to leave it empty, but both spaces are equally important and must be balanced carefully. By stripping away the unnecessary, presenting a scenario in a simple manner can give the audience space and a greater freedom to create their own story.
At the moment I am preparing for two Art Fairs and one Solo Exhibition at the end of October in Wellington.
I really enjoy the big Art Shows, it is a great way to meet art collectors and to connect with other artists.
But I am also really excited about my Solo exhibition where I will be presenting a whole new series of painting and mixed media works in a very cool and stylish space at Gallery Twentysix in Newtown, Wellington
My art is exhibited and for sale in six different Galleries throughout New Zealand. My work is now also represented in a Gallery in Melbourne, Australia and in the Bay Area in Marin County, California.
Next month I will also be releasing a limited edition of Fine Art Prints of my paintings with divers. If you would like to hear about my upcoming shows and projects go to my website www.sarahalbisser.com and sign up to my newsletter. Or follow me on instagram.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Having a past as a gymnast and a professional dancer has helped me with both physical and mental resilience. Building up a basic trust for your passion, is what will get you through the tough times. Our mind and bodies are incredible, looking back I am very thankful to have had all these experiences from a really young age. To learn for example, how much further you can go when you think you have reached your limits, has helped me throughout life. At the same time recognising your limits and learning to say no. To understand that discipline and practise leads to a better performance. It is a combination of the physical body and the power of the mind.
Developing confidence and self-esteem has also been a continuous learning curve for me. It is fundamental to personal growth and fulfilment. At the centre of this journey is the profound realisation of self-awareness and self-acceptance. Understanding who I am at my core and embracing that uniqueness, without constantly comparing myself to others, has been paramount in the development of my art. It’s about appreciating my strengths, acknowledging my limitations, and celebrating my individuality. By honestly assessing my abilities and reflecting on past achievements, I can gain a clearer perspective on my strengths and areas for improvement. This honest self-appraisal enables me to set realistic goals that are both challenging and reachable. Setting new goals, not only provides a sense of direction, but also keeps me motivated and engaged in continuous self-improvement. Besides that, surrounding myself with a supportive environment and cultivating positive relationships has been instrumental in boosting my confidence.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I would love to collaborate with individuals, companies or brands who share a passion for creativity, innovation and design. While I have a particular affinity with fashion and envisioning how my art can have a powerful impact in this realm, I’m also receptive to exploring collaborations in other areas.
A few years ago one of my artworks was used for a label on a Gin Bottle made by The National Distillery in Napier, New Zealand.
The combination of my artwork and their design of the label looks absolutely beautiful, and seeing my art in a new context gave me new perspective.
The Gin has won the silver medal at the Australian Gin Awards in Sydney 2020 and the bronze medal at the world wine & spirits competition in New York.
Feel free to connect with me art@sarahalbissser.com to explore collaboration opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahalbisser.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsarahalbisser/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artalbissersarah/
