S A R A H S U L L I V A N

“I’ve always had this dream of making a museum that kids drag their parents to.” – Jeff Koons

In the fourth grade, a piece of my artwork was selected to be in a student show at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The piece was a weaving. I suppose this marks the convergence of my interests in textiles and museums. Both areas give in to my childlike fascinations in their opposition and similarity. The creation of textiles allows for play and hands-on interaction, while most museums tell me to keep my hands off the work. This rule often has the opposite effect. Despite their differences, these interests provide infinite space to transform my fantasies into reality.  

Over the course of time, these curiosities have strengthened and matured, though I still consider that small weaving one of my greatest accomplishments. In my work, I try to keep the fantasies of my youthful imagination alive through the techniques I’ve learned in my adulthood. That is why I’’ve challenged myself to use my art as a tool for creating the museum of my dreams. I’ve rewritten the standards of a Natural History Museum to include birds out of cages, bugs with unusual wings, and zebras that aren’’t just black and white. 

IF I CANNOT LIVE IN THE MUSEUM, I WILL BRING THE MUSEUM TO ME.