ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sarah Slappey's Surreal Feminine Universe Explored

artist · 2026-04-26

Sarah Slappey, born in South Carolina in 1984, draws from three geographic influences: her Southern upbringing with distinct gender roles, New York City's liberating social environment, and European religious figurative art encountered during travels in Italy. Her paintings and drawings feature a chaotic mix of limbs, ribbons, bows, pearl necklaces, telephone cords, safety pins, pills, and milk droplets, set in tiled showers or teenage bedrooms. Slappey aims to evoke joy, pain, and shame, hoping women feel understood and men gain insight, even if she cannot articulate exactly what that insight is. The article is written by Ferruccio Giromini.

Key facts

  • Sarah Slappey was born in 1984 in South Carolina.
  • Her mother was a seamstress who dressed her in pink silks and ribbons.
  • She moved to New York City after her art studies.
  • She traveled and resided in Europe, especially Italy.
  • Her work combines limbs, ribbons, bows, pearls, telephone cords, safety pins, pills, and milk droplets.
  • Settings include tiled showers and teenage bedrooms.
  • She wants viewers to feel joy, pain, and shame.
  • The article was published on Artribune in June 2024.

Entities

Artists

  • Sarah Slappey
  • Ferruccio Giromini

Institutions

  • Artribune

Locations

  • South Carolina
  • United States
  • New York City
  • Europe
  • Italy

Sources