Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Holloway.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, I’m a spiritual person who sort of had to realize what exactly I had been influenced by and what I was experiencing as a person and an artist. I’ve always been an artist for a lot of reasons, but I didn’t know why I was an artist until I reached my twenties. I was always fascinated by nature, like many artists, but it took some time for me to acknowledge that I was also prone to spiritual experiences. So from childhood through my early twenties, I went through many changes in theology, atheism, etc.. but I was always a strong dreamer. I didn’t know I was “good” at dreaming or astral projection. I didn’t know most people weren’t in tune with spirits before or after I realized I was myself. Overall I think I started making art simply because I was surrounded by creative, supportive people. I enjoyed drawing and ceramics before I had words for them. Today I make work because I have a real need for, maybe even a habit of, experimentation and creating. I love to document spirits, beautiful places where I’ve felt closer to the spirit world or closer to my ancestors. I’ve also gone through phases where personal and family trauma tends to make its way into my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been smooth in the sense that I feel like I’ve always done what I was supposed to – it helps to be willing or even excited to make mistakes. Experimentation is really important for my work, so I’ve gotten comfortable with things changing during my process. My biggest struggle in general is probably narrowing down what I want to do or say. There are always so many options after you get familiar with using a variety of media, and some days my mind overcomplicates things for my hands. But that struggle has been smoothed by my very supportive environment… I’m really lucky to be surrounded by other artists and musicians. I always have. I suppose it was a struggle to pick up my life and go overseas for my MFA, but making art in another country, even closer to my ancestors, was an honor. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I’d love to do it again.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an interdisciplinary artist, mainly split between painting and film. I love sculpture as well, and I focused on stop motion animation for several years as a student. I might be best known for those films, or maybe my larger mixed media works. I’m really fond of “green men” for their connection to the natural and spirit worlds. I illustrate entities like this based on what I experience during visions, dreams, or through bits of ethereal information from plant life. Recognizing these experiences and comparing them to the potential experiences and beliefs of my ancestors has been rejuvenating and cathartic- particularly in the context of living in a world where spirituality is often seen as a novelty or fraudulent. I will probably always document spirits because, if anything, it’s fun!
I think I’m most proud of doing what feels right. I get quite a range of reactions to my work, so it feels good and makes me proud when someone connects to my work or enjoys it for spiritual reasons. Sharing my work has helped others open up spiritually too, and that feels great.
What were you like growing up?
I was some combination of a class clown and the art kid, always. I was quiet around new folks and constantly trying to make my friends laugh. My work isn’t usually funny, but I’d like to move in that direction, I think. It would be good to tap into my childish roots. I was really into music because my family is mainly composed of musicians, and they had a good sense of humor as well. I loved camping, being outside, and I was good with animals. And although I was often in trouble for talking to my friends or being a bit too goofy (or drawing too much…), I was very honest and a good listener. I sometimes cared too much about what other folks thought of me, but I didn’t like for that to show. Other than that, I don’t think I’d change very much as far as who I was as a kid… I’d just remind myself that everything would be alright since I was often anxious.
Contact Info:
- Email: sarahhollowayart@gmail.com
- Website: www.loveholloway.com
- Instagram: @love_holloway
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holawegholloway/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/gazziholloway
