Sara Pope
Sara Pope is known for her bold, seductive paintings of voluptuous lips. Interested in questions of beauty, communication, and the rise of image perfectionism, Pope draws from her experience in fashion, beauty and the media to explore these themes.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Pope completed a degree in mathematics before moving to Barcelona to study graphic design. After a stint working in the media, she began a successful career in the fashion industry working a shoe designer for brands including Paul Smith and Lacoste.
Pope’s early commercial work continues to inspire her art practice. Staged photographs of a model’s painted lips, which the artist directs to express different emotions, form the basis of all of Pope’s work. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, she uses bold, seductive colours with high-shine gloss to capture the sensuality and seductive power conveyed by the lips and mouth. Often incorporating makeup and materials imbued with a high visual appeal such as neon lighting, gold leaf, and glitter, her paintings and prints imitate the slickness of advertising, whilst provocatively subverting its themes.
The result is glossy, perfect and irresistible.
Electric
Oil on gesso covered wood panel with neon light
80 x 80 cm
Crime of Passion (Red)
Oil on gesso covered wood panel, 24ct gold leaf with leopard print relief
100cm x 100cm
