Q&A with Sarah Moon

Briefly describe your thesis project.
My current project delves into the realms of wonder, otherworldliness, and play. By creating three 8-foot-by-6-foot canvases, I aim to fully immerse myself and my audience in a surreal dreamscape. Painting provides me with a sense of enchantment, as I am transported to a world of boundless imagination, vibrant colors, and pure joy. My creative process begins by laying out unprimed canvas and using fluorescent paint to dance my way across it. This energetic underpainting serves as the foundation for my kaleidoscopic environment, which I build up by using mixed mediums such as collage, glitter glue, spray paint, and craft rhinestones. 

What do you hope someone feels when they experience your work?
I hope people are filled with wonder and transported to another space. In our present time, we need art, more than ever, that apprehends our present situation, but we also desperately need art that suspends reality and gives us a mental haven to recharge and escape. Ultimately, my goal is to create work that captivates and brings joy to those who encounter it. 

How does your research interact with this project?   I draw inspiration from contemporary artists who harness the power of the gallery space to evoke a sense of awe and amazement, such as Pipilotti Rist and Yayoi Kusama. When it comes to my own artwork, I am specifically interested in exploring the playful and physical aspects of painting. I am inspired by the tradition of painters who have pushed the boundaries of their medium, extending beyond the confines of the canvas. I am enamored with the works of Katharina Grosse, whose vibrant use of color brings a psychedelic, abstract world to life within the white walls of the gallery. 

What was your path to becoming an artist like?   As a child, I spent every night coloring at the kitchen table. Later, I spent much of my free time crafting and went to art camps to master tie-dye and papier-mâché. I started painting and journaling with drawings, stickers, and other craft materials. By my teenage years, I had painted our entire family’s basement with murals. 

During my undergraduate study, I pursued my passion for art in the painting and drawing program at the University of Georgia.  I continued to create and explore “off canvas” by painting murals at local spots in and inspired by Athens, Georgia. Since then, I have expanded my artistic horizons by exploring different mediums such as photography, sculpture, and time-based media. I am excited to see what new opportunities and experiences the future holds for my art. 

Are there any faculty, courses, making spaces, or other WashU resources that have had a big impact on you?   I had the pleasure of taking “Phantom Bodies: Time-Based Media” with Patricia Olynyk at the media center. The course opened my eyes to the possibilities of expanding gallery spaces beyond traditional fine art exhibits to create immersive out-of-body experiences that offer hope and an escape from reality. Additionally, during my time at the Sam Fox School, I was fortunate enough to attend the Kemper Museum’s exhibition of Katharina Grosse’s studio work: Returns/Revisions/Inventions. Our cohort had the privilege of engaging with Grosse in a Q & A session about her experiences as an artist, which was a truly unforgettable and transformative experience that influenced my approach to painting.