Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Sabrina Puppin

Sabrina Puppin lives and works between Doha and New York City. She uses the visual language of color, shape, and form to create compositions in which the world, as seen and known, begins to de-materialize and the underlying spatial relationship becomes apparent.

Sabrina’s work is characterized by intuitive and loose paint handling, spontaneous expression, and controlled process, as well as an irrepressible intervention of the medium, to create illusionist space.

Sabrina has a PhD in interdisciplinary studies, with a specialization in African Art Studies. She graduated with an MFA degree from the Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts, New York City.

Having had many international exhibitions, residencies, as well as curating for museums and exhibitions too, Sabrina now devotes her time and experience into her own artistic creations.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“All my life, I have been engulfed in the art world. My studies are all about art history and art studio (PhD, MFA, MA, BA). I have taught art techniques and art history, and have directed a private art school, Dar Al Founon in Doha, Qatar. I have worked as head of art education and deputy director at the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar, and as curator and exhibitions director in few galleries in New York. But above all, I have been a practicing artist all my life. I decided a few years ago to dedicate all my effort and time to creating and promoting my art.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My work is a negotiation between structure (vessel) and surface (fluid space). The structure is the static and analytic (rational) component, and the painted surface is the energetic and spontaneous (expressionist) component. As a choreographer, I organize the movement of colors within space. The space’s proportions frame the action of color in a very unique and unexpected way, amplifying or shrinking different aspects of the painting.

Through the use of hyper-colorful, shining, and overwhelming abstract arrangements, I depict and investigate the distorted perception of the reality around me, aiming to express my feelings and daydreams through work that wants to be felt, walked in front of, stared at, and dwelt on, rather than merely being illustrative.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work, with its fluid appearance, may suggest a simple pouring method of creation. In reality, the process is very complex, laborious and physically intense. The different media are applied with small droppers, keeping in consideration drying time, density of the media, and the reaction of each single color next to each other. It took many years to command the process and understand the character of each medium and color. And yet, 10% of the process is chance, which always makes my relation with the work challenging and refreshing, as well as astonishing and captivating.

With my painting, I sought to reinstate the primacy of form and color as formal elements in works composed according to aesthetic principles – rather than as the visual representation of sociopolitical realities or philosophical theories. The need for positive emotion in the world today has never been greater.”

“Walking around the world, I see distorted abstract images everywhere. Things and landscapes which appear normal to others become abstract forms in my eye and mind. These 'impressions' evolve into colorful shapes and compositions on canvas, wood, metal, and sometimes become 3D objects.”

Which artists influence you most?

“My work is greatly influenced by Gerhard Richter and Elizabeth Murray.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists have multiple roles in society, and not all artists contribute in the same way. There are artists pursuing a political, environmental or social role, while others use art to express feelings and day-dreams. Others just want to create. Regardless of the intention of the artists, their work is equally important for this world. Art can be used to send a message, but also to express and provoke feelings. It can even be used to add beauty to the world.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“Recently, I had a personal show at the Fire Station, Qatar Museum, Doha Qatar. You can read about it here.

I was chosen by the Italian Embassy in Qatar to represent the Italian Contemporary art and had a show at Al Gassar gallery, Doha, Qatar, and you can read all about it here and here.

My work was also included in a few group shows in New City and New Jersey.

I have taken part in numerous solo and group exhibitions which you can view on my website.

Residencies
2015 - Expo 2015, Artist in Residence, Qatar pavilion, Milano, Italy.

2014 - Artist in Residence, Contemporary Center Afghan Art, Kabul, Afghanistan.

2013 - Visiting Artists, Turquoise Mountains, Kabul, Afghanistan.”

 
Editorial Team
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