My name is Sarah Tarquin, I am a third year BFA student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo studying Studio Art. I am originally from Oahu, Hawaii which is where I discovered my love for the ocean, the creatures living in it and inspiration for art-making. I have been creating and tinkering ever since I can remember and during my college career I have discovered my interest in branding design and packaging. This, along with my passion for oil painting has lead me to become a multi-disciplinary artist and has fed my hunger to expand my skills and grow. I continue to work on projects in and out of school or work and hope to eventually get an MFA.
About Me

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Artist Statement
In my work, I delve into the intimate and often contradictory layers of personal identity, femininity, and spirituality through self-portraiture. My practice is an introspective journey that reveals the raw, private, and sometimes grotesque struggles within. The act of painting is meditative, and I find a deep connection in the process, from the first brushstroke to the final, fine details. The time spent mixing colors, listening to music, and getting lost in the zone allows me to reflect on the deeper truths of my own life, identity, and artistic practice.
I create works as vibrant and unsettling as they are introspective, drawing inspiration from Fauvism through bold, exaggerated colors and distorted forms to amplify emotional states and personal turmoil. This approach reflects my internal struggle and disrupts the external expectations of femininity, beauty, and self-expression. My compositions are often theatrical, with warped imagery that conveys the chaos of self-reflection, particularly the overwhelming desire to conform to beauty standards through makeup and appearance. This is meant to illuminate the messiness of the self, offering both a sense of clarity and discomfort, symbolizing the confusion of seeking clarity in an often chaotic, fragmented world while reflecting the constant negotiation between self-acceptance and external pressures.
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My work takes on a personal, almost intrusive nature as if the viewer is witnessing something they shouldn’t. The blending of multiple self-portraits within a single piece represents the chaos and hurriedness of my daily life, particularly in moments when I prepare myself for the outside world—whether it’s dressing up to meet societal expectations or the internal battle of trying to look “perfect.” The tension of being alone with one’s reflection, scrutinizing every detail, is captured in these moments of intimacy and vulnerability.
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As a young woman navigating the expectations and frustrations of femininity, I question what it means to present oneself in the world. Do I dress for myself, or am I performing for others, for social media, or to fit into beauty standards? This personal conflict lies at the heart of my work, exploring the underlying tension of self-expression versus external validation. The relatable feelings of self-doubt, frustration, and identity searching are not only personal but universal, and I hope others find resonance in these shared struggles.
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My work engages with both the history of art and contemporary culture. Just as women’s portrayals in art history have shifted from passive, idealized figures to confrontational subjects of power and identity, I aim to continue this tradition by exploring the complexities of femininity and self-representation. Through my work, I invite the viewer to reflect on their relationship with identity, beauty, and performance, questioning how these constructs are shaped by both internal desires and societal expectations.
