Jennifer Sakarian

Detroit MI

Spakone Noche My Pomegranate Sun
Drawing
Bio

ARTIST STATEMENT

My artwork revolves around stream of conscious thinking exploring relationships, the land, and memory. The term relationships describe connections with the self, the self with others, and the self with the land. The catalyst behind my practice are memories from my day to day life. The memories and the recollection of these memories vary in their merit—some are real and others imagined. Visual connections are created through seemingly disparate elements that I lace together to create a personal story—thus revealing the complex inner spaces of the mind and of anxious and depressive thinking patterns.

Natural and animal-based imagery have become omnipresent in my visual language as it is something I frequently surround myself with. Often such imagery acts as stand-ins for complex human emotions or as coding to geographical places I have been or want to go. I enjoy playing between the lines of serious existential deep thinking and learning to laugh at oneself and relishing in the joie de vivre.  For me, the natural world is a space of quiet and still and of wonder. It quiets my ego and fills my head with new stories, vibrant color palettes and of course, mystery and romance.  I create my work in an intuitive and cathartic manner using a variety of materials and techniques including collage, printmaking, painting, and drawing.

Bio: Jennifer Belair Sakarian is a visual artist, writer and educator. She was raised and educated in the Midwest with degrees in Fine Arts, specifically Printmaking. She received her BFA from Siena Heights University and a Master’s degree in fine art from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She left the Midwest twice—once to do housekeeping in Yellowstone National Park for 4 months and another time at a luxury dude ranch in Colorado. Her travels have directly impacted her love for the natural world which is at the kernel of her creative practice. She wrote her first book of poetry titled, I'm okay, okay, which explores the relationship between the self and the natural world.