Artist STATEMENT
Oriana Sage strives to bring to life the inner workings of her soul, to visually articulate the struggle and triumph that rest beneath an assumed surface. Her paintings examine the close relationship of physical position and the spirit
Oriana is fascinated by interactions of light bursting through shadow, the two-dimensional emerging into living form, and color conveying depth of feeling and vitality. Some of her favorite conceptual themes are resistance and surrender, death as an avenue to life, and the small and mundane being a metaphor for the transcendent. Oriana’s process brings together two realms; the seen and familiar and what is unseen, deeply internal and that which must be sought. Familiar portraiture collides with color, movement, and abstraction to reveal this relationship. The imagery of scars and thorns portray a very real struggle, yet the struggle has an opportunity to ascend, the scars grow over with soft skin, the thorns become crowned with gold.
Every image opens a small window to Oriana’s own internal dialog. The rubbled mire and ache of the world converse with wonder. Her deepest hunger and hope is for God Himself - hunger drives, hope ascends.
Education
2014 BFA in Studio Art, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Residencies
2020 Artist-In-Residence, Grunewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA
Exhibitions
2024 Brush on the Bluff, Participating Artist, Spokane WA
2024 Studio West Galley, Guest Artist, Spokane WA
2023 “Creating Joy: Spiritual Care through Art, Movement, and Creation Care“ Grant-funded project, Lead Artist and Facilitator, Riverview Retirement Community, Spokane WA
2023 Garage Sale Exhibition, Group Show, Ladder Coffee, Spokane WA
2023 Art & Glass Festival, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Spokane WA
2023 ArtSpiration, Garland District, Spokane WA
2023 Herbal Faire, West Central Abbey, Spokane WA
2023 The Wonder Building Summer Market, Wonder Building, Spokane WA
2023 Manito Art Festival, Manito Park, Spokane WA
2023 Brush on the Bluff, Participating Artist, Spokane WA
2023 33 Artists Market, Artist Vendor, The Wonder Building, Spokane WA
2023 Garage Sale Exhibition, Group Show, The Meeting House, Spokane WA
2022 33 Artists Market, Artist Vendor, The Hive, Spokane WA
2022 Annual Ornament and Small Work Show, Group Show, Spokane Art School, Spokane, WA
2022 Terrain 13 Group Show, Terrain, Spokane, WA
2022 First Friday Spokane Solo Show, Express Employment Professionals, Spokane, WA
2022 Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour, Artist Vendor, Spokane, WA
2022 Manito Art Festival Manito Park, Spokane, WA
2021 Friends of Manito Art Festival, Manito Park, Spokane, WA
2021 Layered Hearts Group Show, Kennedy Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2019 Art After Dark Solo Show, Apropos Boutique, San Luis Obispo, CA
2019 Art After Dark Solo Show, HumanKind Fair Trade, San Luis Obispo, CA
2019 Phantom Project 18, SLOMA Pop-Up, San Luis Obispo, CA
2019 Solo Show, Sally Loo’s, San Luis Obispo, CA
2018 Artist Reception, The Harley Group, Paso Robles, CA
2016 Open Studios Art Tour, Atelier 708, Paso Robles, CA
2014 BFA Exhibition, California Polytechnic State University Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
2014 Annual Student Exhibition, California Polytechnic State University Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
2013 Annual Student Exhibition, California Polytechnic State University Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
2013 Art After Dark, Assets Studio, San Luis Obispo, CA
2012 Student Art Exhibition, Cuesta College Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA
Awards
2014 Cal Poly Arts and College of Liberal Arts Award for Outstanding Work in Studio Art, California Polytechnic State University
Publications
2022 Solum Literary Press, Solum Journal Summer 2022, Online