Sarah Zapata is an artist whose sculptures emerge as vibrant patchworks of woven patterns and fuzzy fiber ends. Her works can be seen as wall-hung tapestries, standalone pieces, and forest-like installations that explore the nature of layered identities shaped by her Peruvian heritage, queerness, Evangelical upbringing in South Texas, and current home in New York.
Zapata’s art balances traditional craft practices with contemporary applications, drawing on the significance of Indigenous Peruvian weaving as a form of communication. In traditional Peruvian weaving, symbols and patterns in cloth were used to share knowledge and cosmological beliefs.
Her abstract sculptures incorporate unexpected and vibrant color combinations with woven fabrics and tufted textures. These pieces resist easy categorization, existing somewhere between functionality and pure decoration.
Zapata intentionally avoids creating work that is merely “beautiful,” instead inviting viewers to engage in a tactile exploration of the relationships between craft, lineage, community, and memory.
Some of Zapata’s works are currently on display at Sargent’s Daughters in the exhibition “Support Structures,” running through May 3. More of her work can be found on her website and Instagram.
Zapata’s installations are captivating, with large, draping textiles in various colors and textures that extend onto the floor. Each piece tells a story, inviting viewers to consider their own identities and connections to heritage and community.
Overall, Sarah Zapata’s art is a testament to the power of weaving and textile art to communicate cultural narratives and personal experiences. Through her intricate and thought-provoking sculptures, she invites us to reflect on our own identities and the stories woven into the fabric of our lives.
