Artist to Know: Sydney Sousa - Inside Art with Michael Rose

Wednesday, February 08, 2023

 

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Visual art is a deeply personal form of expression. Makers who find a way to authentically share their stories through their work enjoy strong connections with viewers. Local artist Sydney Sousa is a prime example of this fact, and has found a dedicated following through the heartfelt way she expresses herself in the medium of abstract painting. She is an emerging talent whose introspective studio practice is producing engaging artworks.

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Sousa was raised in East Providence and found herself taking the pursuit of art seriously in her high school art classes. She channeled this interest into her college education, studying at Rhode Island College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and studio art with a concentration in painting. She went on to be selected for the inaugural cohort of WaterFire’s Accelerate Program, a selective year long professional development program for young artists in the state. When not making art of her own, Sousa utilizes her creative energies in her job as an activities therapist at Butler Hospital, where she works with clients on artistic projects ranging from art to poetry.

 

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As a born Rhode Islander, Sousa has an appreciation for the creative community in the state. Speaking of it, she says, “I enjoy being an artist in Rhode Island because even though we are a small state we are filled with creatives. I love connecting with the community, learning and gaining inspiration from others.”

 

The inspiration that drives Sousa’s painting practice finds root in a multitude of sources. Her studio is densely wallpapered with references. Photos of family and friends find places on her wall alongside artworks made by clients she has worked with at Butler. Stacks of art history books underlie buckets of brushes and palettes with oils at the ready. A Keith Haring blanket covers a couch in the space, while photos of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat peek out from over her desk. Asked what artists and movements she is most interested in at the moment, she answers, “Artists in history that have been inspiring me lately are Tracey Emin, Willem De Kooning, and Lee Krasner. Abstract expressionism is my biggest love.”

 

That passion for abstraction is evident across Sousa’s production. She relishes in paint and lavishes her canvases with tone and texture. On one wall of her studio, her latest painting is in process, with gauzy stains of color being applied and errant drips finding their way to the wall and floor. The effect of Sousa’s first pass at her canvas is reminiscent of Helen Frankenthaler.

 

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A recent addition to her work has been the inclusion of figures within her typically abstracted fields of color and gesture. These languid forms sometimes draw from art historical references or source their models elsewhere.

 

The artist explains the inclusion of these newer bodily motifs in her art, saying, “My paintings are all about interpersonal experiences and emotion. Using figures came into play during the pandemic when social interactions were limited. As time has passed I often use two figures in my work representing relationships I’ve created and relationships that have ended. Painting for me is similar to keeping a diary.”

 

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For Sousa, her studio practice is indeed deeply personal. While she has exhibited her work and participated in shows throughout the area, she ultimately finds that she paints for herself. Her artworks are embedded with references to her own life, but feature qualities that have a broader appeal and offer chances for viewers to connect with the artist through shared experiences.

 

Asked what she hopes audiences see or experience when interacting with her paintings, Sousa says she is aiming for a deep connection. She states, “I hope audiences have an emotional experience being in the presence of my work. I hope those viewing my work are taken back to a memory of their own or a lesson they have learned. I hope for an emotional realization.”

 

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Sousa’s paintings do offer opportunities for this emotional connection and invite viewers in to meet the artist on her terms. Although a young artist still in the midst of finding and shaping her voice, Sousa has already shown a dedication to sharing and building connections with her work. As her practice evolves, it will be exciting to see where her talent takes her.

 

You can follow Sydney Sousa’s work and updates from her East Providence studio on Instagram @sydsousa.

Michael Rose is a multi-talented fine art professional based in Southern New England. Since 2014 he has served as the gallery manager at the historic Providence Art Club, one of the nation’s oldest arts organizations. Through his current freelance work he advises collectors and artists, provides appraisal services, teaches, and completes curatorial projects.

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