Meet Sahba Shere | Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sahba Shere and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sahba, how do you think about risk?
My creative life is inseparable from my story as a first-generation immigrant of Indian heritage. I was raised by wonderful parents – my mom was an amazingly prolific artist when I was growing up and my father was a math professor – but I grew up in a fairly traditional environment. For me, embracing the kind of paintings I feel called to make, working with purely abstract ideas, has been a big risk. I am very devoted to my family and my children, and so launching myself to pursue my art full-time while my children were still in school felt like a leap. But it was a leap that has led me to where I am today, and I am so glad that I did it. I am passionate about cheering on other women, especially mothers and artists from immigrant backgrounds, who have taken the risk to center art practices in their lives.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make abstract, mixed-media paintings inspired by nature, meditation, and the rich cultural diversity of the world. My goal is to create works that act as portals to transcendental, experimental realms. If you’ve ever watched dawn fall across Angkor Wat, been awe-struck by the resonant tones of singing bowls, or otherwise been overwhelmed by the beauty and energy of this world, then you know the feeling I seek to create through my work.

I have two studios at the moment – one in the San Francisco/Bay Area and the other in the Perez Art District in Palm Springs. I regularly exhibit my work in public venues across the globe and recently completed an Artist-in-Residence École de Paris Arts. In the past, I’ve been commissioned to make unique works of art for Yale University, Harvard University, Apple, Google, Linkedin, Hilton Hotels, and more.

Currently, I am exhibiting with Kippi Leonard Gallery in Palm Springs and am about to embark on an exchange as part of the Art in Embassies program, which placed my work in the residence of the US Ambassador to Bulgaria.

My practice has been shaped by my personal history and my desire to record my experiences in the world. I was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and have lived important chapters of my life in Paris, France; Bangalore, India; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cleveland, Ohio; and Atlanta, Georgia before settling in California. Each of these places have become important references in my work either through the landscapes I encountered there, the cultures I experienced, or the people I met.

As someone who moved frequently throughout my adult life, I learned quickly how important it is to build community no matter where in the world you are. Prioritizing authentic connection has had the biggest impact on my creative and career trajectory. One way that I did this was by hosting salons that brought people together around art for open and lively discussions centered on themes the community cares about. I took a break from hosting these salons during the pandemic, but I am excited to start them up again as they breathe so much life into my studio and beyond.

Early on, my practice was focused on photography, but I turned to painting as a way to capture, not just how places look, but how it feels to experience them. I sometimes call my works “Mindscapes” because they are reflections of the quality and character of the energy I’m feeling in each moment. In this sense, my works are very much about meditation – through them, I seek to witness and externalize the undulating movement of thoughts and feelings that shape our consciousness. In this sense, my works are both familiar and distinct, drawing upon recognizable markers of land, water, and sky, yet in a simultaneously abstract and granular fashion. The resulting art objects evoke a sense of rumination and recollection. They are honest, tranquil, and genuine.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
These days, I am fortunate to be splitting my time between the Palo Alto Bay Area, Laguna Beach, and now Palm Springs!

When people visit in Palo Alto, we head straight to San Francisco to get Hog Island Oysters. Just iconic – everyone should have them at least once. From there take a walk, to give visitors that feeling of that incredible vibrant atmosphere. I’m a big fan of hiking. Entertaining at home and hosting dinners is a big thing for me – food is very important. I love to take care of guests when they come into town, both making them feel cozy at home and also going out and doing some classic Bay Area sightseeing.

In Laguna, we would head straight to the ocean, take a long walk and walk into town. The plan is simple: Look at the ocean. Cruise, relax, walk around. Laguna is such a vibrant and interesting community with so many special galleries and shops that is good to encounter organically. I have to recommend Crystal Cove for brunch/lunch/dinner – total relaxation! I’m all about mixing it up with nature, just being out there and relaxing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful for my family – for my incredible parents, siblings, my husband, and my kids. My family enriches my life so much and my story would not be what it is without their support and presence. I also am grateful to the community of Palo Alto, where I have found the support of many friends and a thriving creative community. I’m grateful to be able to add to this community by hosting regular artist salons, where we can get together and support each other. I do not think that art making can exist in a void, and all of this community makes my art practice possible.

Website: https://sahbashere.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahbashereart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahbashereart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sahbashere