The first time I saw Sarah Emily Porter’s work, I had an instant, visceral connection to it. It was actually by chance encounter that I found it at all… I was picking up prints at The Print Space, London, when I just happened to see her work waiting to be collected too, and was completely enthralled by it.

An entire world of magic opened up for me. I’d never seen someone master such control over paint without a brush, whilst letting the paint tell the story in its own way, too. Goosebumps, every single time.

Sarah has been kind enough to not only put up with my constant stream of fangirl messages on Instagram, but she agreed to let me interview her for this post.

It is my absolute honour to present an interview with Sarah Emily Porter.

T: How would you describe your work to someone who doesn’t know it?

S: My practice explores colour relationships and focuses on painting through the development of experimental machinery and production methods. These manipulate the core ingredients and structures associated with the traditions of painting. I map carefully considered systems and orders to form a framework for the production of my paintings, so everything is planned and ordered before the paint hits the canvas.

The paint is poured from pots, ebbing and flowing in a single linear stroke under the force of gravity as the canvases tilt on makeshift vertical mechanisms. As the work is repeatedly moved from horizontal to vertical positions it becomes a collaboration between my own desires and the unpredictable tendencies of my materials.

Before studying fine art, I worked as an event manager for 10 years so I tend to think of painting as an event - one that is as much concerned with the process of its emergence as it is with the final outcome. Material, machine and artist each take their turn in leading or resisting the outcome and it is a sensitivity to this push and pull that drives the work. Unlike a traditional painter who eternally struggles to decide when the work is complete, my work is finalised once my mathematical systems have been implemented.

In addition I run the design practice, Porter + Trundle which makes playful, sculptural works that explore our relationship with colour.

T: What’s your objective as an artist?

S: I probably have more than one! I want to challenge what painting can be. I’d like to inspire others to get enjoyment from art - no matter how small that may be. And this always feels a bit taboo - as though you’re not allowed to enjoy what you do and make money from it - but providing I don’t have to compromise in a way that makes me uncomfortable, it’s always been my objective to have financial stability from my practice.

T: What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out as an artist?

S: Never stop making work, keep experimenting, keeping being curious, be proactive, embrace opportunities when they’re thrown your way and be open to collaboration - you never know where it might lead.

T: Tell us something random about yourself.

S: I once completely flooded Durham Castle… accidentally!

If you’ve been completely blown away by Sarah’s work and want to dive deeper into her practice, more can be found via the following resources.

@sarahemilyporter

@porter_trundle

sarahemilyporter.com

portertrundle.com

Thank you for your magic, Sarah.