15 Questions with... Sara Birns
This series aims to showcase the varying approaches creatives take to making art and how their relationships to the so-called art world differ, but also reveal what unifies those responsible for the art we love.
Sara Birns is a painter from California who graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 and now lives and works in London. Her work has been exhibited in both solo and group presentations in places like Rome, London, New York, Zagreb, Milan, and Fitzroy. Typically working with images taken of friends and family, Birns utilises Old Masters techniques to paint her amalgamated faces and forms, composed from several figures – sometimes even human and animal – with flesh and feathers, wings and paws. Her forthcoming solo exhibition Scene XIX: Corn Maze opens at Matt Carey-Williams on 3 September and remains on view through Sept 26.
1. What is your earliest memory of a work of art?
All of the fairy tale illustrated books I had as a little kid.
2. Where do you turn to when you're in need of inspiration?
The moment before falling asleep.
3. What do you like to do when you need to take a break from your practice?
Seeing loved ones and doing other craft projects such as sewing, knitting, ceramics, and bookbinding.
4. Who is your favourite artist?
Christian Rex van Minnen.
5. Which gallery or museum should everyone try to visit at least once in their life?
The V&A or Musée d'Orsay
6. What is the worst thing about the art world?
When artists get thrown under the bus for profit.
7. Whose opinions on art do you actually care about?
It changes, and certain people are wise in certain areas and silly in other areas.
8. What trend in art makes you roll your eyes?
Using AI to create what would otherwise be sacred, holy, natural human ideas.
9. Who are the last three musical artists you listened to?
John Anderson, Kurt Vile, Lana Del Rey.
10. What's your favourite colour and why?
Purple. It was my favourite colour growing up, so it feels like it’s a bit of my identity now and very nostalgic. It also makes me feel really good.
11. What three items would you grab if your house was burning down?
My king-size bed. That’s the only item because the fire would have consumed me after the first couple of attempts trying to lift it.
12. Is there an artistic skill you wish you were better at?
Being looser and more fluent with my mind and with my hand… and liking what I did.
13. What can you tell us about your showcene XIX: Corn Maze that's about to open at Matt Carey-Williams?
It takes place at an event, people weaving in and out of each other or off to themselves. Weaving through a maze in your life and in your mind. What separates us from one another, and from our past. There’s iconography of a place I grew up in in America, from when I was a kid in the early 2000s.
14. Which piece in the show took the longest to perfect and why?
There’s one big painting in it, and that one took the longest. This is my first time doing a crowd, so perfecting multiple people as one unit, yet still individual, was interesting to figure out. And there are several people in the forefront who are in full detail… that was a lot. But I’m so pleased with how it turned out. I’m actually so excited for these new pieces, they feel like a level up.
15. What impression do you hope people get after seeing your show?
I hope the paintings can bring old experiences to the surface that need to be thought about, as well as inspire new epiphanies about life and the people we share our lives with.
