Collection: Sara E. Morales-Morgan - Featured Artist

Sara E. Morales-Morgan is an artist from San Jose, California, and Hartselle, Alabama, currently located in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her Master’s degree in Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the University of South Alabama. She has exhibited her work nationally and has been published in Ceramics Monthly and in “500 Figures in Clay, Volume 2” by LARK Books. She has been a resident artist at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts’ “Pentaculum,” at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts as a Kiln God Award recipient, and at Baltimore Clayworks as the 2016 – 2017 Lormina Salter Fellow. Sara makes work out of her home studio in Baltimore, is married to her best friend, and is the roommate of 2 opinionated felines.

Statement:

My artwork explores my notions of identity and home through the creation of illustrated ceramic sculptures and paintings. Using female figures, iconography, and domestic scenery, I present personal themes of femininity, memory, and mental health to discuss what are ultimately universal experiences. I illustrate emotionally honest imagery that is both specific to me and relatable to others. By providing viewers with these images and no explanations, I invite them to imagine their own narratives.

I use porcelain, luster, and framework imagery to reference decorative objects from the past. They have long histories of representing social status and wealth, and I use these references to elevate my illustrations and to create objects with a sense of preciousness.

I draw inspiration from historical portraiture for my figure's forms, clothing, and some imagery. Themes like longing, love, fragility, strength, and family have been depicted in art throughout history.  Although we often feel isolated in our experiences, looking at women from the past helps me to see that I am not alone and to feel a sense of validation. I hope others can connect to my work in similar ways.

Find Sara’s Artaxis page: https://artaxis.org/sara-morales-morgan/

Find Sara's Instagram: @saraemor

** Sara E. Morales-Morgan's Artaxis Shop has ended. You can find more work available for sale by visiting the other Featured Artist collections HERE