BEATRICIA SAGAR
Shrine Of The Visionary
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Beatricia Sagar
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"I want my work to have elements of surprise that invoke a curiosity in the viewer."
Beatricia Sagar is a well known New York and Miami based contemporary artist whose colorful mixed media works can be found in Corporate Collections including The Neiman Marcus Group, Four Seasons Hotels, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the Grand Hyatt New York. Her works are often presented in series; Art of Haiku, Vessels, Totems, and Spaces and Places. Beatricia is represented by Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art located in TriBeCa, New York.
Tell us about yourself and your background.
I was born in the Bronx, N.Y. and lived where an Elevated train traveled very close to our windows forcing us to close our blinds which shut out the light and kept us safe from the passenger’s curious eyes. This train cast a shadow of darkness over the neighborhood. When I was 13 I discovered by accident that by walking in a certain way I was able to enter a park where there was, the now famous, New York Botanical gardens. It was there I discovered a world of light, and it was where I started to draw and paint. The botanical gardens were magical for me. Each room had a variety of plant species alive with color, aromas, and different origins. As an Artist, this experience led me to search all my life for ways to express these deep feelings of wonder on the limited size of canvas. I have also lived in many places including Soho, NYC in a large 3000 sq. ft loft. I was surrounded by artists, dancers, musicians, fashion designers. I am very curious, and aware of trends in all the creative fields as they change faster and faster with the advance of technology. I like things that are edgy, inventive, culturally different, and at the same time I am fascinated with the subtlety of the Asian sensibility to line, color, sound, and fashion.
Empty Room
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Mar Bella
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Tell us about your work and why it is unique.
My current work gives form and structure to my collected memories and feelings to connect spirit with art. My concept is an Empty Room which is a metaphor for the silent space within us that we try to reach through meditation and chanting. The empty room is an infinite space which allows, inspires and guides me to explore varied ways of working. Each Series I do references Empty Room but is focused on the infinite possibilities in contemporary abstraction. The different series include Empty Room Series #1 and #2, Prints, Artifacts, and Shrines. Each series is unique but explores mental and emotional truth in an inventive original way. I want my work to have elements of surprise that invoke a curiosity in the viewer. While the paintings are highly original they fit into both contemporary and corporate environments.
Tell us about your process and what/ how do you feel when you are creating.
My process is to free my mind from where the original idea originates and work with a variety of materials and techniques to take advantage of the accidents as they happen until there is an integrated but unexpected outcome of that idea.
Shrine of the Creative
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Empty Room Series 2 Rapture
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Shrine Of The Garden Light
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What are your sources of inspiration?
My sources of inspiration come from the world around me. A color, the sun setting, the rain, an abstract mark on the street, and a poem can invoke a desire to work. I am inspired by art, fashion and sneaker designers, film, music, and changing youth cultures. My spiritual life is inspired by meditation and chanting and people who share their wisdom with others.
Tell us about some of your proudest achievements.
My work is in many private collections but also in Corporate Collections. These include 18 Neiman Marcus Stores, Caribbean Cruise Ships, Hilton and other Hotels, MTV, Banks, etc. I have written a book called “Nico’s Guide to Foreplay” which is a penetrating excursion into the lives of two young men who are a study in contrasts in their approach to money, sex, and love. (published on Amazon”) I was also photographed by Nan Golden, a well known New York photographer. The photo is called “Bea with Blue Drink”, it was taken in West Berlin in 1984. It has appeared in many of her Museum Shows.
Empty Room With Staircase
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Shrine Of Five Wishes
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What are you passionate about?
I am very passionate about creativity, originality, spirituality, Art both mine and others, inspiring relationships, learning and loving.
Largest collection of your work so far?
Neiman Marcus is known for original art that usually comes from local artists. The consultant liked my work enough to place it in other stores around the country.
Catalyst
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Born This way
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"I start with the realization that my work is the source of my vitality."
Shrine Of Sensuous Grace
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Empty Room Series 2 Trancendance
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What have you got coming up now.
I am in touch with some art consultants about projects I might be considered for.
How do you feel about art and its role in the world today?
I think art still plays an important part, and because Art has made fortunes it has and will always have a mystique. The ways of buying and selling art are changing rapidly because there are new kinds of distribution. The Art Fairs make it harder for Galleries to maintain their exclusive ways to sell art. Collectors, Interior Designers, Curators, and the person who appreciates original art have many more ways of connecting to artists, because of social media, Instagram etc. For artists, it has become more difficult because of rapidly changing tastes.
Empty Room Series 2 Explosion
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Shrine Of Sensuous Grace
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How you want your art to affect the viewer?
I think every artist has a need to be noticed for what they do. I start with the realization that my work is the source of my vitality. I was in a Residency studio at Art Center So Fl. for 18 years which was open to the public for 7 days a week so I am privileged to know that many people respond to my work. I am hoping that through your magazine I will be able to find some other opportunities.
www.beatriciasagar.com | Photo Credit: Robert Vano