Sarah Maple

Sarah Maple is a British visual artist.

Biography

Maple was born in 1986 to an Iranian Muslim mother and English Christian raised father. She studied Fine Art at Kingston University.

In 2007 she won the "4 New Sensations" competition, run by Channel 4 in conjunction with the Saatchi Gallery. The competition's aim is "to find the most exciting and imaginative artistic talent in the UK" from among art students graduating that year.

Much of Maple's inspiration originates from being brought up as a Muslim, with parents of mixed religious and cultural backgrounds. Blurring the lines between popular culture and religious devotion in an unfailingly mischievous manner, Sarah's aesthetic narrative urges the viewer to challenge traditional notions of religion, identity and the societal role of women.

Maple's work often takes on fabricated scenes and situations. She is affected by the art world, as well as from her general surroundings; including friends, family, television and popular culture. She is also greatly moved by music, comedy and literature. She believes these influences are truly woven into her art and provide the platform upon which her work is realised.

Maple states that the aim of her work is 'to give my audience food for thought. I believe comedy is a great tool to achieve this, which is why I choose to portray my conceptual ideas through a light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek approach'.

In January 2012, with Art Below Sarah presented her work at the 'Art of Angel' at Candid Arts Trust, alongside an installation of artwork on the London Underground at Angel Tube station. This was timed to coincide with the London Art Fair, an annual event in the London arts calendar.

Recent exhibitions have been held in Munich, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Milan, London and Paris. "It's a Girl" was held at London's Aubin Gallery in February 2012. Lately Sarah Maple was included in the group show "Highlight" along with works by Alicja Kwade, Tomás Saraceno and Jorinde Voigt at Salon Kennedy in Frankfurt in line with 7th Luminale 2014.

Other activism

• Sarah Maple is the judge for international art competition in London Passion For Freedom London Festival at Mall Galleries . along with other judges Gary Hill, Jasvinder Sanghera, Paul Robinson and Lee Weinberg.

• Menstruate with Pride, Breaking Taboos With Sarah Maple "The Independent"
• "New Sensations - Home Page". Retrieved 20 September 2014. 
• Artlyst. "ArtLyst. 'Art of Angel Launches for London Art Fair Week'". Artlyst London. Retrieved 20 September 2014. 
• "Sarah Maple: 'I'm not the new Tracey Emin'". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2014. 
• "Salon Kennedy". Retrieved 20 September 2014.