-Name: Sameena Sitabkhan
-Born/Based: Born in Los Angeles , based in Oakland California
-Making art since: Attempting to make art since forever, but doing it more seriously since the pandemic
-Something you’d like our readers know about you: I’m a first generation kid of immigrants from Mumbai, India. I’m an architect, I was a bartender and I love science fiction. I live with my husband who’s from Cornwall, my son who’s adopted from New Delhi and 2 cats we got at the shelter.
-What are three tools/elements you can’t work without?
Glue
Fingers
Photoshop/scanner
-What do you think is the most important thing that defines your work as yours?
hmmm …I use source material that’s connected to my life and those around me – whether it’s a weird catalog I got in the mail, design magazines or papers I find at my parents house in boxes in the garage.
I draw heavily from our immigrant narratives, Indian culture, and sometimes the 80’s. I love the messy mix that results- it’s me! I hope that this work contributes to the diversity of voices that is finally starting to be represented in collage.
-Can you describe your work process?
I like to experiment with all kinds of different techniques and since I’m not a trained artist, I’m always learning. Most of the time I have no idea what I’m doing, but this is what makes it so fun. Sometimes I just cut and paste to calm down, something that it turns out I really need:) It’s kind of a mess and whenever I try to actually follow a strict concept it does not work. So I ad-lib. Alot. If I have to lay down a process, it’s this:
I create analog works with source materials that I am constantly collecting. Then I sometimes rip stuff off, paint over, sand , and often throw it away and dig it out of the trash the next day. I scan the analog works at high res and then recombine them in photoshop to create digital works. I also almost always run upstairs from my basement lair (studio) to show Simon, my husband. He has the eye of eyes and can always guide me to the next step.
One of the best things about this process is the lack of thinking and the focus on making. It’s a counter to the rules, regulations, and parameters that I am always navigating as an architect. Mostly, I just throw down materials and somewhere along the way, a story appears.
-Which artists would you recommend us to check out?
In no particular order:
@astoriahysteria
@brittalau
@markokoeppe
@de.las.estrellas.collage
@xochisolis
@yasminaassbane
@olliewagner2000
@little_pink_dog
@lovewalkinginsnow
@b.sterling__
-What is your personal definition of collage?
It’s how I stay sane, a way to disappear into collecting and recombining. It’s a way to discover something new from something old and to be able to make – anywhere, anytime in any way you want.
Learn more about Sameena on her Instagram account.
