Sarah Tokich | Printmaking

Artist Statement

Love Letters celebrates my personal identity, expression, and the avenues through which I find joy in life. I derive my imagery from a variety of sources, including found vintage ephemera, accessories from my daily life, and fabric scraps from my grandmother. My use of vintage motifs allude to the traditional attitudes of my upbringing, which I have since departed from as I’ve grown into my own person. I pair this imagery with items I use to express myself, such as bits of jewelry I wear or fabric details from my favorite articles of clothing. By combining these visuals, I aim to collage my past and present to capture the joy I find in living and discovering who I am.

The layers of imagery, color, and playful patterning in my pieces create enthralling celebrations of the experience of being alive. Rather than frame my prints in a traditional method, I have chosen to stitch them onto laser-cut felt doilies to create a more organic and inviting environment that is reflective of the ever-changing nature of life. The doilies also act to continue the motif of fiberwork and textiles evident in my pieces, as seen in the embroidered stitchwork and seamstry references. My prints are visual love letters to living, expressions of who I am, and reminders that there is an abundance of joy and worth to be found in discovering who you are.