Sarah Maple (*1985) is an award winning multidisciplinary artist known for bold artworks that challenge notions of identity. Her work spans a variety of media such as performance, painting, installation, collage and photography. Much of Maple’s inspiration originates from her mixed religious and cultural upbringing.1
Raised Muslim but sent to a Catholic school, Maple witnessed racial, cultural and sexual discrimination from an early age. She addresses these experiences in her work, using wit and insight to provoke thought and discussion on feminism, religion, freedom of expression and a wide range of political issues.
Visual Impact:
Sarah Maple combines vibrant colours, dynamic compositions, handwritten text with provocative statements and iconography to disrupt traditional narratives. She often uses herself as a vehicle to challenge stereotypes and normative behaviour, as in her early work “Signs” (digital print, 2007). The humour, always present in her work, subtly prompts the audience to take a stand. Using her art as a form of protest, Sarah Maple’s exhibitions often include panel discussions and workshops. Engaging with her diverse audience and fostering direct dialogue, she amplifies the impact of her work even further. She also steps outside the art world, bringing her messages to public spaces through direct interventions.
Text by Liv Gosdschick