We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandra Cavanagh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandra below.

Sandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Making work as an artist is risk taking at every turn, the singularity of the work demands it. You might rightly say risk taking becomes the blood of a creative life. And that’s the first half of one’s process, the second half is putting it out there. Work like mine is so often political and feminist, the figuration expressionist, the color vivid, the imagery is bold, the themes never tame, and even uncomfortable.

Sandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where life was pitched on political instability, an overbearing patriarchal society and the dangers of state sanctioned brutality and censorship. I kicked off with a lot to say, part of a youth that craved militancy of one sort or another. I read Social Sciences at the University of Belgrano, emigrated to California and later to the UK. I’m a Fine Art graduate of K.I.A.D, University of Kent. Since 2010 I’ve worked and resided in Brooklyn. I’ve worked mostly in isolation, two dimensionally and across media, and produced a large portfolio of paintings, drawings and prints. I began to seek visibility about two years ago, joined an artists community in NYC, and started to show work. It’s an exciting time.
I sustain a figurative focus in reaction to current and historical narratives, including my own. Recent global events have led me to considerations of mortality and loss of innocence in transgenerational stories, the usefulness of art’s centuries old regard of myth, foundational stereotypes and the mundane occurrence of violence.
Interested in the pairing of form and message, and formal variations on a theme, I‘ve worked serially.
I consider the role of art to be multi purposeful, I like to think the ideas and feelings it conveys may seed, germinate, find a host, many hosts, cause thought, disruption, solace.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The process of making work is pure compulsion. I never lack motivation, no matter how difficult the project or motivating idea. The reward is twofold, firstly it’s that moment of exhausted completion, then it’s about finding resonance in others.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, I wish I’d known how to find community after graduating from art school. Community is pretty fundamental for its provision of support, exchange of ideas, sharing problem solving issues and a happy competitiveness. There’s nothing of greater value to an artist than impressing another artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandracavanagh.com
• Instagram: sandra_cavanagh_artista