Interview
Sabrina Puppin
Sabrina Puppin was born in Aviano, Italy. She lives and works between Doha, Qatar and New York, NY. Sabrina uses the visual language of color, shape, and form to create compositions in which the world as seen and known begins to dematerialize and the underlying spatial relationship becomes apparent. Her 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. The work is a negotiation between structure (vessel) and surface (fluid space), where the structure is the static and analytic (rational) component and the painted surface is the energetic and spontaneous (expressionist) component. As a choreographer, Sabrina organizes color’s movement within space. The space’s proportions frame the action of color in a very unique and unexpected way, amplifying or shrinking different aspect of the painting. Through the use of hyper-colorful, shining, and overwhelming abstract arrangements, she depicts and investigates 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 be illustrative.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am an internationally exhibited artist. My artistic journey is a testament to my lifelong passion for art, deeply rooted in my comprehensive educational background, including a Ph.D., MFA, MA, BA, and Painting Diploma. My international background plays a significant role in my artistic vision. My Italian heritage and extensive travelling and living in several countries, my studies of African art (which requested months and months of research in different African countries), has exposed me to diverse cultural influences, enriching my visual vocabulary. This cross-cultural exchange is evident in my work, which blend elements from different traditions to create a unique artistic language. My painting resonates with a sense of global interconnectedness, reflecting the complexity and beauty of our contemporary world. A realist painter, I found my freedom of expression in abstract work about 14 years ago. My art now transcends mere representation; it delves deep into the realm of perception and interpretation. With a masterful command of color, shape, and form, I construct compositions that blur the lines between reality and abstraction.”
What inspires you?
“In my artistic journey, I find myself constantly walking the line between reality and perception, the tangible and the intangible. My work is an exploration, a form of communication where I attempt to convey the fluid and often elusive nature of our perception of the world. I believe that art has the power to transform, to alter one’s understanding of reality, and to offer a new lens through which we can view our surroundings. My pieces are invitations to the viewer to step into a world where the boundaries of perception are blurred, where the familiar becomes unfamiliar, and where the act of seeing transcends the mere act of looking. Creating art for me is not a choice but a necessity, an intrinsic urge that emanates from the core of my being. It is how I express my thoughts and emotions. My work is a dialogue with the viewer, a shared experience where the artwork serves as a medium through which we can explore the depths of our consciousness and the nuances of our existence. Through my art, I aim to create a space where viewers can lose themselves, find themselves, and ultimately, see the world through a different lens. The philosophy behind my artwork id deeply rooted in my perception of reality and the ways in which we interact with our environment. I am fascinated by the idea that our understanding of the world is shaped by our sensory experiences and that through art, we can challenge and expand these perceptions. My pieces are an expression of this fascination, a manifestation of my desire to explore the unseen, to delve into the unknown, and to bring forth a new understanding of the world around us.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My work is a testament to the transformative power of art. By dematerializing the known world and revealing underlying spatial relationships, I challenge viewer to see beyond the surface. My paintings are not mere representations, but invitations to explore new ways of seeing and understanding.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is an investigation of my observation of reality and the distorted perception I have of that reality. The world as seen and known begins to dematerialize and the underlying spatial relationships disappear. I suggest that reality and perception are two sides of the same coin in the way they interweave and coexist; as perception arises uniquely for each individual who is observing part of reality.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I love the bold use of color by the German artist Katharina Grosse, and the American artist Elizabeth Murra’sy use of shaped canvasses, and both characteristics can be found in my work.”
“My work is an exploration, a form of communication where I attempt to convey the fluid and often elusive nature of our perception of the world.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is a complex interplay between structure and surface, rationality and expressionism. I embark on my artistic endeavors with a blank canvas, but with a vision in my mind of vibrant, abstract, colorful, compositions which reflect my vision of reality. The technique I employ, though appearing spontaneous, involves meticulous application of media using small droppers, brushes, sticks, considering various factors like drying time and physically demanding process, coupled with an element of chance, keeping my relationship with my work continually refreshing and invigorating. Each brushstroke is imbued with intention, yet there’s an inherent spontaneity that breathes life into the creation. My technique is rooted in a deep understanding of the material I use. I embrace the unpredictable nature of paint, allowing to guide my creative process. My application of lines and colors is deliberate yet free, resulting in compositions that pulse with energy and life.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s work should help the audience see the world in new and innovative ways, and allow to have a deeper understanding of our emotions and be open to new experiences. An artist should be able through the artwork to engage the audience or provoke thought, feeling and sensation.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Some of my noteworthy exhibitions are: Florence Biennale; a solo show Fire Station Galleries, Qatar Museums; a solo show Al Gassar Gallery in Doha Qatar and a solo show Chashama Galleries in New York.”
Website: www.sabrinapuppin.com
Instagram: @sabrinapuppin
