Sarah Asante is an artist deeply connected to her multicultural roots, blending her Ghanaian and Indian heritage with her passion for art, fashion, and music. In this interview, she shares how growing up in London, surrounded by vibrant cultures, shaped her love for bold colors and patterns. Sarah talks about how her family’s traditions and the lively environments she’s experienced, like her travels to Ghana and India, have inspired her creative work. She also explains how photography, fashion, and music play vital roles in her creative process, helping her express emotions and tell stories through color. Sarah’s art expresses her belief that imperfection can be beautiful, inviting viewers to experience the warmth, joy, and energy that colors and culture bring to life.

Sarah Asante is a featured artist in our book “Lines And Curves.” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

Born and raised in London with a cultural mix of Ghanaian and Indian parentage, Sarah grew up in Notting Hill, often visiting Portobello Road Market for clothes, fruit, and vegetables. She has always loved art, creativity, and fashion. From her teenage years until now, she has spent hours in art galleries or museums seeking inspiration and viewing different art forms. She also enjoys taking photographs and editing them to add effects. She ran a second-hand jewelry and clothing stall in the famous Portobello Market and printed homeware with my art.

Dealing with customers and forming relationships is very important to her. Her experience working within the fields of Mental Health, older people, and Learning Disabilities has helped shape the work she completes and her view of the arts and their accessibility. All works are carried out by hand, and every shape and line is cut individually. There is perfection in imperfection. Traveling inspires her, and she has gained the most inspiration from India, Cuba, Ghana, and Italy.

1. Sarah, your work is known for its bold use of color. How does your cultural heritage influence your vibrant choices in your art? 

Both sides of my heritage love color. Color helps to express emotions and catches the eye of the viewer. Having visited my ancestral home of Ghana and India and seeing the people, their dress, their cultural norms and the vibrancy of life really made an imprint on me. My family also through the use of colour in ingredients and the clothes they wear in terms of pattern, style and colours all bring joy to my heart.

A multicultural background gives you different influences. From the differences in language to costume, food, religious beliefs and so forth. It influences my work in it’s style, it’s undertones and the use of bright colours.

Sarah Asante

2.  Fashion, art, and music are key passions for you. How do these three elements intersect and inspire your creative process?  

I have always been fascinated by art but when I started to see fashion, I compared it to art in movement. The fashion inspiration is drawn partly from art. Music inspires me when creating. I have dreams in vivid color and certain music brings back the feelings experienced in those dreams and the warmth or excitement. This leads to a creative flow when making my pieces. The music speaks to me, edging me on to continue to create no matter what.

3.  Growing up in London with a mix of Ghanaian and Indian roots must have shaped your perspective. How does your multicultural background manifest in your artwork?  

London is a multicultural city and it is wonderful to be part of that. My grandmother’s Sarees had a huge influence on me from the drape to the colours and her divine cooking! On the other hand, my grandfather hailing from Ghana would collect unusual items and as my mother grew up partly in Ghana this has shaped the food I enjoy and the music, colours, and patterns I enjoy. A multicultural background gives you different influences. From the differences in language to costume, food, religious beliefs, and so forth. It influences my work in its style, its undertones, and the use of bright colors.

4.   Photography and editing are also part of your creative practice. How do you incorporate these techniques into your art, and what role do they play in your visual storytelling?  

Photography is also a wonderful outlet. I want to do more work in this field but I love to take photos of architecture. I think architecture is both fascinating and beautiful and sometimes overlooked at what beauty surrounds us. When I take a photograph the idea is to also add color to it, and edit it in a way to bring my influences into the piece. My language is color!

Music inspires me when creating. I have dreams in vivid colour and certain music brings back the feelings experienced in those dreams and the warmth or excitement.

Sarah Asante

5.  How do you think fashion and art influence each other in your work, and how do you see them evolving together in the future?

Fashion is a major enjoyment factor for me. I like the idea of being able to dress up and play characters or change your identity. I also like the idea that you can be inspired by anything but then turn it into a garment or accessory. Art is something that is always on my mind and when the two become infused in my work they inspire one another. One (art) speaks to fashion and they are having a continual dialogue in my work. In the future, I have many new ideas to bring to my work including the use of texture and various mediums. Creatives are always looking forward and I want to push myself in terms of boundaries.

6.  What is one of the most powerful reactions you’ve received from someone experiencing your art for the first time? 

The very first piece of mixed media work I created during the lockdown when I showed it to a friend was surprised and amazement at the colors and shapes used. They even begged me to take it home as they loved it so much!

Sarah’s work is a celebration of color, culture, and creativity, blending her Ghanaian and Indian heritage with her love for fashion, music, and photography. Her bold use of color and intricate patterns reflects the vibrant influences of her multicultural background, while her creative process is deeply inspired by the emotions and energy around her. To learn more about Sarah, click the following links to visit her profile.

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