​How I made me: Sarah Francis
Reclaiming Space: The Art of Consent, Agency, and Transformation
Sarah Francis is an artist whose work delves deeply into themes of consent, agency, and pleasure, navigating these raw territories through a diverse practice that includes assemblage, sculpture, and photography. Drawing profoundly from her lived experiences, Francis explores the intimate connections between queer, disabled bodies and the natural world. By defying conventional narratives, her art serves as a powerful advocacy for inclusivity in the arts, pushing boundaries and unapologetically sharing her journey of self-discovery.
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Often using found and recycled materials, Francis creates pieces that evoke raw, untamed landscapes, reflecting the visceral realities of the body and its place within the physical and metaphysical worlds. At its heart, her work is a bold act of self-authorship, an ongoing reclamation of her body and story. By revisiting and reclaiming perceptions lost during puberty, Francis redefines what it means to preside over her own existence.
Her art traverses the sensuality of relationships, the tenderness of love, and the heaviness of grief, all while interrogating the environments, both internal and external, that have shaped her. With an unwavering commitment to self-exploration, Francis peels back layers of societal masking and framing, offering an authentic reflection of her neurodiverse and queer identity. Through her practice, she boldly confronts fundamental questions of consent, access, and the primal drive for self-determination.
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In 2023, Francis made her U.S. debut at the prestigious Leslie Lohman Museum of Art in New York City, exhibiting alongside prominent artists like Catherine Opie, Jenna Gribbon, and Nicole Eisenman. Her work has since been acquired by significant collections in both the UK and the US, particularly those celebrating queer and female artists. Supported by institutions such as Arts Council England, Francis holds a Distinction in Fine Art from Leeds University and a First Class BA(Hons) in Photography from De Montfort University. She continues to carve out vital spaces for disabled and neurodivergent artists in contemporary art.
