Sara Berman lives and works in London. Examining the societal constructs of the female experience through the figure of the Harlequin as a ‘Trickster Whore’, Berman refutes the male gaze and objectification of women. Through the medium of portraiture, she creates figures that are often defiant. Her gentle muted aesthetic is fraught with contrapuntal layers, as the visceral and corporeal juxtaposed with a delicacy and fluidity of line and movement. Berman’s work uses its very appeal to defy expectation, a violent transgression within beauty.

Berman’s work can be found in the collection of The House of KOKO, London, The Poort Visser collection, The Maison Estelle, Berman’s solo exhibitions include Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin (2024), Vielmetter Los Angeles Gallery, LA, (2024), The Armory Show NYC (2022), Double Ententre, Anat Ebgi (2018). Her group Exhibitions include Expo Chicago, with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Chicago, USA (2024); Royal Academy of Fine Art Summer Exhibition (2023), Untitled Miami, Art Fair, Miami, USA (2022).

‘Who are you?
I am a visual artist living and working in London.

What is your creative area of expertise?
Primarily I consider myself a painter but drawing, textiles and video work all form part of my practice.

How do you find inspiration?
I examine societal tropes through role play and costume using self portraiture as a tool.

Tell us a little bit about the work you chose to share
I tend to work in series and for shows. Side Eye was made during the period when I was making for a show with Alon Segev in Tel Aviv and relates to the complexities of that particular series. Side Eye as the title says it all.

What is your work process?
I start all works with an underpainting in the pattern of the Harlequin. This is a direct reference to Comedia Dell Arte and the role of the Jester. Societally this is a powerful male role which when claimed by a woman is subverted to that of the trickster. I then obscure this pattern with a new role or character until it is all but obliterated.

One special moment that happened to you this year?
I got the keys to my new studio.

A piece of advice?
Keep turning up every day and learn to keep going when no one is looking.

What is next for you?
I am very excited to be working with Glyndbourne this season and am utterly immersed in a world of costume, music and other forms of storytelling. Utter joy!’