Artistic Vision
I am fascinated by the enigmatic, profound power hidden in nature, particularly in the ocean's depths. There is something mysterious that lies just beneath the surface, a space where strength and fragility coexist. This mystery mirrors the emotional landscapes I explore in my work, challenging traditional notions of resilience and vulnerability while inviting viewers to uncover deeper truths. Through storytelling, I translate these unseen forces into physical form, capturing the ebb and flow of human emotions, particularly grief, passion and sacrifice and the transitions that unfold between its stages.
My process is an intimate exploration of material and memory. I work primarily with porcelain paper clay and slip, manipulating them into wafer-thin layers that echo the delicate yet enduring nature of emotions. These fragile sheets, reminiscent of fabric or aged parchment, are layered and deconstructed, revealing hidden depths within their translucent surfaces. By integrating clay, textiles, and pigments, I investigate the human experience—what is concealed, what is exposed, and what ultimately transforms over time.
My past work Mourning to Morning invites viewers on a journey of self-discovery. As the ocean gradually reveals its treasures, the artwork exposes the transformative power of time and the potential for healing that resides within us all.
About
Born in Cleveland, Ohio (1976), Sarah Y. Lin's life took an early turn when she moved to Hawaii. The ocean both fascinated and frustrated her. The salty water stung her eczema, but the sand became her first canvas. From creative director to social entrepreneur helping women in India, Sarah has always been a creative force. Now, she bypasses words and speaks directly to the heart, crafting art that speaks a universal language of emotion.
At Sarah Y. Lin Studio, the logo mark holds deep significance. It coincidentally features the central Chinese character for jade, "yue," from Sarah's family name, "Clear Yellow Jade” (黃 Huang 玉 Yue 清 Ching). As an Asian American artist, Sarah is dedicated to preserving her ancestors' heritage and paying tribute to the shared reverence for porcelain in her culture. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, porcelain vases were glazed in celadon to resemble the exquisite yellow jade as a form of homage to this precious stone. Today, Sarah carries on this tradition by delving into the art of porcelain, perpetuating the legacy of honoring the beauty and rarity of yellow jade through her sculptural and functional decor creations.