Sarah Neale’s work explores the layered interplay of visibility and invisibility, metamorphosis, physical presence, and meaning through the directness of her gestural application. For Neale, the canvas is an arena where substance and vitality interact in a mutual give-and-take, each being influenced by the dynamic relationship between artist and the material world.

Repetitive marks and lines form the core of Neale’s visual vocabulary, moving across the surface to imply both push and pull. They suggest a sense of dialogue yet resist definitive meaning, embracing ambiguity. As lines meet, overlap and fade, they coalesce into groups- connections arise, dissipate and reform, mirroring the self-similar patterns found throughout existence- reflecting the multi-faceted, enigmatic yet overwhelming character of contemporary life, saturated with an ever-increasing flow of rapid information and sensory input.

Neale’s process is a highly physical one, treating surfaces as sentient beings, active participants in a vibrant exchange of motion and gesture. Paint is applied, then scraped back, swathes of oil paint washes, layer one another.  Stabbing gestures, fluid lines and bold colours, expose the art historical references Neale leans on, such as De Kooning and Mitchell.  Her marks become channels for unseen energies to materialise.

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Education

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Turps Offsite Programme,  2023-2025

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The Institute of Education, UCL, PGCE in Secondary Education 1991-1992

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Camberwell School of Art, UAL, BA Hons Fine Art, Painting 1986-1989

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