Image commercially licensed from : Unsplash
It’s a common saying: a new year, a new “me.” People experience this precious moment of introspection, opening themselves to new opportunities; for growth, learning and loving the past to bravely step toward the future.
As we enter the new year of 2023, Konté reflects on the importance of identity in her art and the role of the artist in today’s society. “Identity is at the core of my work,” Konté says. “As a queer artist, I am deeply engaged with the LGBTQ+ community and strive to create art that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our experiences. But my identity goes beyond just my sexual orientation – it is also shaped by my multicultural background and my education. All of these elements come together to create a unique perspective that I bring to my art.”
Konté believes that the role of the artist is to inspire and challenge their audience to think deeply about the world around them. “I want to create art that pushes people to question their beliefs and emotions,” Konté says. “I want to build a bridge between the artist and the audience, so that we can create a new kind of language together. My installations are meant to be interactive so that the audience can be a part of the process of creating meaning. I think it’s important for artists to be fearless in this way, to take risks and be unapologetically ourselves.”
Looking towards the future, Konté is excited to continue exploring new mediums and collaborating with other artists. “I am always looking for new ways to create interference between mediums,” Konté says. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with composers and scientists in the past, and I would love to continue collaborating with people from different fields. I believe that by bringing together different perspectives, we can create something truly unique and meaningful.”
As Konté continues on her journey as an artist, she encourages others to embrace their own identities and passions. “I think it’s important for all of us to embrace who we are and to be true to ourselves,” Konté says. “It can be a scary process, but it’s worth it. As an artist, I am constantly learning and growing, and I hope that my art can inspire others to do the same.”
Sarah Konté is a multidisciplinary artist with a unique perspective on identity and community. Growing up in Paris as a French-Senegalese person and receiving education at prestigious institutions such as Beaux-Arts de Paris, Ircam, and La Sorbonne, Konté has a diverse background that informs her art. Through a range of mediums, including video, photography, sound, performance, and writing, Konté engages her audience and encourages them to question their beliefs and emotions through interactive installations.
Konté has had a number of notable career highlights, including being noticed by the Sarr Collection for her show, Orbital Orchestra, during the Crush Exhibition in Paris, exhibiting her work in partnership with composers from Ircam, and having her first solo show, Tumbleweeds, at SALA in Los Angeles. Her exhibit, Adornment | Artifact at Transformative Arts in DTLA, with support from the Getty Museum, is an intimate glimpse into the workings of a culture in commune with itself. The installation presents a technological rework of West African traditional storytelling, engaging in transformative art that is as deeply embedded in its medium as its audience.
In addition, Konté has written a thesis on the representation of meaning through the intersection of words and images and has completed an exchange program in philosophy at Humboldt Universität in Berlin, where she developed her photographic skills.
Konté has faced a number of challenges in her career, including navigating the Covid-19 pandemic while completing an exchange program at CalArts and adapting to different cultures while living abroad. However, she has overcome these challenges through perseverance, determination, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
The artist herself has grand plans for the future. Within the next few years, she aims to establish a community of artists seeking residency. Inspired by her own experiences of living in different countries and cultures, she understands best the struggle and challenges of taking that first step into building friendships. She reflects this desire for connection through her pieces and different mediums, creating a mutually shared space where communication transcends art. The artist herself has plans to open exhibition projects in Paris, Los Angeles, and Senegal, with one exhibit slated for opening on the 20th of January; dates for her future exhibitions are to be announced sometime in the future.
Sarah Konté is a standout artist with a unique perspective and a passion for creating community through her art. Her dedication to using a range of mediums and encouraging audience engagement makes her work truly special and worth exploring.
