20/20 meet the artists: Sarah Maple
- Written byKatie Moss
- Published date 29 July 2023
In June, UAL announced the twelve emerging and mid-career artists in the second of 2 cohorts for 20/20: a national commissioning and network project directly investing in the careers of a new generation of ethnically diverse artists.
20/20 was launched in November 2021 by UAL Decolonising Arts Institute, working with a network of 20 UK public collections, museum and gallery partners, and with funding from Freelands Foundation, Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants Programme and UAL.
We caught up with Sarah Maple about being selected for the second cohort of artists for 20/20. Her residency is taking place at the Bradford Museums and Galleries.
Tell us about your artistic work, discipline & background
"My work is largely motivated by my upbringing, culture and gender politics. I look at current affairs and create work that provokes the viewer through satirical and tongue-in-cheek commentary.
"My Mother is a Muslim from India, raised in Kenya, who married my British father in 1970s Britain. Much of my work looks at the duality of this upbringing and the sense of identity amongst young mixed heritage people today. Being from a multicultural background, questioning ideas on identity and belonging is at the heart of my practise. My work begins with the idea first, then I decide which medium expresses that in the best way. This is why my practice is constantly evolving across a wide variety of media such as performance, painting, photography, sculpture and installation."
Why did you apply for the 20/20 project?
"Growing up, I did not see myself reflected in the arts or pop culture and accepted this as the norm. It was only when I started to make my own work, that I realised I had a right to be represented and diversity was the reality of modern Britain.
"With immigration being a major factor during the Brexit campaign, it became evident we are not taught enough in school about the British Empire and its impact on migration. If we do not understand our history and complex make up of our people, we do not understand the country we call home. I feel this needs to be explored further through arts and education and this starts with representation in our museum collections. 20/20 is an extremely exciting and important opportunity to be part of something inclusive that supports artists, expands museum collections, and shows a true reflection of Britain."
What conversations, thoughts or feelings do you hope to encourage amongst your audiences during your residency?
"Bradford has a wonderful photography collection from the Belle Vue Studio which predominately contains images of migrants that moved to Bradford post-WWII. This rich historical archive is a great starting point for conversation, reflection and engagement. I will expand on this history during the residency and will hold creative happenings where the public can respond to the collection in their own way. I aim for the audience to look again with fresh eyes and feel a stronger connection to the collection. I would like to make a work where viewers will see themselves reflected."
Follow Sarah Maple on social media:
Instagram: @sarahmapleart | www.sarahmaple.com