Sariah Park
Inner Shaman

Media: Monotype made from handmade paper matrix, cotton fibers

Artist Statement:
In this piece, I am exploring what it means to be a mixed-heritage woman living in modern America. My process of making draws connection to my Indigenous culture, while also helping to heal the invisible wounds of inherited trauma. Through this meditation on materials, I am able to tap into my Native identity, making deep connections through symbols and meanings, patchworking together complex family histories, experiences, and loss. This work aims to make visible the metaphorical threadbare fabric of American culture, exposing the fragility, vulnerability and brokenness of our society. 

Biography

Sariah Park is an interdisciplinary artist with over fifteen years of experience in fiber, print, and fashion design. Sariah's current research is focused on the development of sustainable printing methods for textiles and fine art practices. Her most recent body of work features the up-cycling and repurposing of dead stock and damaged printed textiles into new forms and printing with waste to create large-scale works on paper. Sariah’s work aims to challenge the status quo of making and asks important questions regarding societal and industrial waste, consumption, sourcing, and methods of manufacturing.