We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Hannevik a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My family and I lived in Busan, South Korea from 2008-2011 and it was here I found myself artistically. I was welcomed into a small art community with open arms despite not speaking the language and not having the credentials other artists had. I met curators and artists that appreciated my art, encouraged me and gave me space to show and sell my work. It was here I had my first exhibition. It changed me both artistically and as a person.
In 2011, we moved back to our home country Norway and I threw myself “out there” as I had in Korea and was met with silence, indifference and emptiness. So, I gave up my art for 10 years, trained as a teacher and tried to forget. After a life changing event, my art came back to me, or I to it. I threw myself in again but this time I was determined not to let it go again and to do what I could to give opportunities to other emerging artists. I wanted to recreate what those lovely Korean artists had done for me.
I started Art of Wellbeing in 2022, after the worst of the pandemic, together with friend and fellow artist Kelly Palencia. Our intention was to create affordable pop-up exhibitions for new and emerging artists. A platform for artists to sell their work, connect with other artists and practice talking about their art with potential collectors. In March, we will have our 4th pop-up here in Oslo. We have gotten a lot of positive response, I think artists value being able to show their work in a safe, supportive space, building the muscles they need to take their art career to the next level and collectors appreciate being able to purchase unique affordable art.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an American/Norwegian artist based just outside Oslo. I am a mixed media artist working primarily with paper collage. I grew up in a very artistic home, my mother and grandmother were both artists, but it took me years to allow myself to go in this direction as well. It wasn’t until adulthood before I could commit myself fully to my art. The artwork I create often has a hint of nostalgia. I like using vintage paper in my work. I feel it gives a depth to the compositions I create. We are all a mix of our past and present and the work I create reflects this without needing to hold on too tight to what came before. I want my work to acknowledge the past but then at the same time break free from it, celebrate the moment and how far we have come. I like contrasting the old paper with vibrant colors and patterns.
I think what sets me apart is the way I combine old and new, past and present with a message of resilience and gratitude. I am really proud of how I have pushed through setbacks and difficult times to be in a place today where I can create some of my best work. I think for many artists, creating work is a way to heal. I think my work reflects a life well lived or at the very least an honest attempt at living a life I can be proud of.
I am very excited about this upcoming year. 2024 will be a year where I develop a wider range of products based on my art. I currently sell original artwork, but have just launched a series of greeting cards and will be adding to this catalog with prints, ceramics and dolls. I am not rushing the process, product development takes time but I am really excited about what is to come!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I have a unique perspective on this since I have lived in three very distinct cultures – South Korea, the US and Norway. I would say that when art is seen primarily as an investment, a commodity, then there is a kind of humanity in that art that is lost. I fully acknowledge that there are different sectors in art collecting but when a society primarily values famous, high end art and artists it also kills the creative environment new and emerging artists need to push forward. Societies need to create arenas where artists feel supported and encouraged. There is room for everyone, all levels to thrive and earn a living. Societies should create affordable opportunities for artists, regardless of education. Opportunities to show and sell their work, but also environments where artists can learn and evolve. Being an artist can be a lonely existence and so much time is spent in your head. Artists should have ways of easily reaching out to other creatives in their environment. I think societies where there is a generous open hearted spirit are where artists thrive the best. A helping hand, an offer, an opportunity, a break – a step that could propel an artist to the next phase in their career.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
When I came back to my art after 10 years away, I struggled with self doubt and discouraging voices from the past. I had a lot of emotional baggage to sort out and I invested in coaching. I was lucky enough to find two wonderful creative coaches who helped me in my journey. Allsion James, an American artist and coach helped me initially in my career with encouraging me to make more space for my art in my life. She helped me finally see that I had something unique to offer and that my voice was worthy of being heard. She continues to inspire me with her podcast. Jessica Dance, a British artist and “clarity coach” helped me immensely with how to set up a productive art practice as well as teaching me valuable mindset skills. I wish I had had both these lovely women in my life 10 years prior to finding my art again, maybe I wouldn’t have walked away from what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahhannevik.no/
- Instagram: @sarahjohanneart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahHannevik/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhannevik/