Artist Spotlight: 5 Questions with Sarama

Introduction:

Today we speak to Sarama, a talented artist from Dominica. Dominica is country located in the Caribbean Sea between Martinique and Guadalupe. Sarama's art captures life in Dominica focusing on people, the natural environment and the topography of Dominica. Some of Sarama's most compelling pieces are commentaries on hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 5 hurricane that greatly effected Dominica with estimates of up to 90% percent of the island incurring some form of infrastructural damages. Sarama's brilliance is displayed below with her radiantly painted art pieces that elicit uplifting and critical stories of the people and cultures of Dominica.

1) How would you describe your artistic style?

"My style can be described as positively charged, uplifting and brightly colored. I mostly paint with acrylics and my works are often smoothly blended.  While realism is generally my first choice for artworks, I love all painting techniques and other forms of art".

2) Do you have any major artistic influences for your work?

"My work is largely influenced by nature. Growing up in Dominica where majority of our island is still untouched and has nature at every turn, it's often the first thing I want to incorporate in my work. From rivers and waterfalls, to beaches and sunsets, and all other colorful elements of nature, beauty is there. Apart from that, I love portraits, and human figure and I enjoy incorporating them into my work and doing relatable or even nostalgic scenes". 

3) How do your paintings represent life in Dominica?

"Life in Dominica is simple, but full of flavor. It's colorful and chill at the same time. Many of the people here are friendly and connected to culture and nature, which are often reflected in my work".

4) A few paintings show commentary about Hurricane Maria. What inspired you to create pieces depicting this moment?

This piece is called "Maria Danced" -Sarama

 

"Maria danced was based on hurricane Maria which hit Dominica on September 16, 2017. Our cultural dance 'Bélé' is such a vigorous dance, so I imagined that Maria was dancing and her movements were so powerful that as she spun around, she created winds which caused the foliage around her to move, as well as the sky. At the same time, she has long hair which leaves trails of water, representing the wet aspect of a hurricane. I also painted Maria from a low perspective to convey that she's a giant, hence why her movements resulted in a hurricane".
"There's Always Hope" -Sarama

“This painting was also based on hurricane Maria. It was a while after hurricane Maria had devastated Dominica. The mountains once green, were then bare and brown. Some houses were still roofless, some covered with tarpaulin, some in the process of rebuilding and a lucky few untouched. People gathered to collect water from the water truck. A woman sits on her windowsill and sees rays of the sun peeking through the grey clouds and knows, there is hope for her country”.

 

5) What do you love most about Dominica?

“What I love most about Dominica is that it is filled with nature. I don't need to go too far to be in touch with nature. And to me, nature is so calming, peaceful and beautiful, and truly is a great remedy for stress or anxiety. I also love our culture, our funny folklore, the people and all in all the energy. There's no place like home, and I love mine”.