SARAH DOHERTY

My art practice aims to utilise creative interventions to convey issues surrounding borders, migration, and social justice. Through a research-led approach, I have been inspired by learning more about the ways in which the militarisation of borders inflicts harm upon individuals subject to numerous exclusions. In context, my work has become more specialised through studying the border between America and Mexico.
From exploring data collected from the migrant death map Arizona OpenGIS Initiative for Deceased Migrants, I have created my own archive that documents where each migrant body that has been found in the desert. This process has enabled me to engage my empathy with these migrants through remembering them and creating a space to respect the loss of life.
Through a labour intensive, handwritten approach I have created an archive in my sketchbook that engages with the details of each individual migrant body logged and documented on this record. Following this, I began to take this information and write it onto my paintings. I have explored working with canvas predominantly, but I have experimented with painting on various fabric surfaces, paper and foamboard. I have also experimented with installation art through making fences, which continues to inform my paintings and methods of display.