Sarah Davis is a multi-media artist using hands on sculptural techniques to explore the cyclical nature of recovery and renewal. Davis’ approach to making is informed by a love for historic crafts such as carving and gilding. Her carving is very sculptural and contemporary but rooted in the language of ornament.
Since 2020 Sarah has been practicing the art of illumination which is listed on The HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts.
In 2012 Davis graduated from Chelsea College of Art with a BA in Fine Art. She returned to education in 2015 to study woodcarving and gilding at the the City & Guilds of London Art school. She graduated with a distinction in 2019. Since then Davis has set up her studio in South London and now teaches on several of the Art school’s specialist degree courses: Carving; Conservation: Stone, Wood & Decorative Surfaces; and Conservation: Books & Paper.
EDUCATION
2015 -2019, Diploma in Ornamental Woodcarving & Gilding, City & Guilds of London Art School, London
2009 – 2012, BA (Hons) Fine Art, Chelsea College of Art & Design
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS, PRIZES AND RESIDENCIES
BAMS New medallist, 2022 – 2023
V&A Residency: Shifting perspectives (shortlisted), 2022
Art & Ornament. Dalkeith Palace, Edinburgh, 2022
Worshipful Company of Educators’ Trust Award for Art and Design, 2022
Current Transmission, ICA, London, 2022
Lost Wax for lost species. Founders Hall, London & Vittoria Street Gallery, Birmingham, 2021
Centuries in the Making, Bonham’s, New Bond Street & Compton Verney, Warwickshire, 2021
BBC New creatives, Day Zero, Spoken word audio commission for BBC Sounds, 2021
GCDC Gold Award, Modellers category, 2021
POTHOLES, SET Lewisham, 2020
POTHOLES, Alternative online residency, 2020
Strange Loop, St Augustine’s Tower, Hackney, 2019
City & Guilds of London Art School graduate show, 2019
De Lazlo Prize for Gilding + decorative surfaces, 2019
Brian Till Prize for Art History Writing, 2019
Tempting failure 2018: Fractured bodies – Durational, performance, 2019
City & Guilds of London Art School graduate show (INTERIM), 2018
Surveyors Club drawing prize, 2017
Art In Romney Marsh 2016, Site specific art festival, St Clements, Church, Old Romney + St Thomas a Becket Church, Fairfield, 2016
A Journey, The Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, 2016
London Craft week 2016, Exhibition of Master Woodcarving, City & Guilds of London Art School, 2016
The Now and Not yet, featured artist in the Holy Biscuit 5 year anniversary publication, 2015
8 minutes, 20 Seconds, Holy Biscuit Gallery, Newcastle, 2015