Sarah To

This investigation delves into how I harnessed imagination to cope with past and present challenging experiences that have shaped me. Imaginations of vivid fantasy worlds were prominent as a child, but as I grew older, my vivid visions gradually waned, and I found myself unable to visualize a world separate from reality but rather one that merged with reality. My exploration of magic realism is grounded in a sense of powerlessness. As a child, I believed I had no power to change my circumstances so I could only wish for something to happen.

Drawing from stories like the Thousand Paper Cranes and The Magic Paintbrush, I show how art can influence or merge with real life.  Such as in ”Weeping Tree,” the tree becomes a physical representation and protector of the child’s emotions. As I progressed, I realized there was a power that art held and that I am able to change my situation. In “Paper Stars,” I put up paper stars that represent each action I took. In “Unconstrained”, I invite the viewer to physically interact with the artwork through a pop art card style. This investigation serves to capture my emotions from the past and present and to inspire the viewers to see our world through a different lens.