Artist Statement

In my practice, I am deeply interested in capturing the ephemeral moments that weave through my everyday experience. These moments range from visual aesthetics observed in my environment to tangible physical experiences. As an interdisciplinary artist, I work across drawing, sculpture, papermaking, and bookbinding, often utilizing found, recycled, discarded packaging, and remnants. My artistic process is driven by a desire to document the often- overlooked facets of life, exploring their significance and beauty.

Drawing is a central part of my practice, serving as a meditative act that allows me to recollect and reflect on personal experiences and memories. I focus particularly on intergenerational relationships within my family, using drawing to document and explore these connections. Through this practice, I not only record these intimate moments but also engage with the larger narrative of our lives and their transience.

Sustainability is a core value in my work. I am committed to using materials that honor the earth’s resources, which is why many of my portraits of loved ones are created on biodegradable paper. I am captivated by the impermanence and imperfection inherent in everyday life, which is reflected in my non-archival pieces. By working with discarded and recycled materials, I embrace the cyclical nature of existence and the idea of our eventual return to the earth.

Paper holds a special place in my practice—it is profoundly personal, retaining the marks of everything it encounters much like the body bears its lasting scars. This connection to materiality underscores the themes of my work, where the act of drawing becomes a method of observing, looking, and collecting. Through this daily practice, I communicate with the world around me and uncover the subtle yet significant traces of my life, revealing the deeper narratives embedded in the seemingly mundane.

In essence, my art is a reflection of the transient nature of existence, a dialogue between material and memory, and a testament to the beauty found in the overlooked and the discarded.

Bio

Sage Serrano is an interdisciplinary artist based in San Diego, CA. She received her MFA in Art from San Diego State University and her BA in Visual Arts Studio with honors from UC San Diego.  Her work has been exhibited in various exhibitions across the United States and internationally. Currently she teaches as part-time faculty at Point Loma Nazarene University and as a lecturer at San Diego State University.