Art & Design

Sarah Bahbah Opens up About Love & Insecure Relationships in New Art Series

“I Could Not Protect Her” in her own words.

17.3K

Sarah Bahbah Opens up About Love & Insecure Relationships in New Art Series

“I Could Not Protect Her” in her own words.

Falling down the rabbit hole into love is something that Sarah Bahbah‘s art portrays in its deconstructed beauty. Chances are, you’ve encountered her work on Instagram. Love, sex and relationships are told with raw weight. “Indulge in your words, and indulge in your body,” so she says.

Her all-new series “I Could Not Protect Her,” is told in cinematic stills, illustrating the insecure emotions in relationships inspired by the desire to be simultaneously wanted and isolated. The Bahbah’s work is autobiographical – a personal inner dialogue that “consumes me, my heart and my mind.” The work she weaves is tasked with a duty, however – to make “transparency in our words and actions” more cognizant.

Read our interview below and check out unreleased stills above. New work is posted daily to her account.

The narrative behind “I Could Not Protect Her” is security, love and intimacy. How would you describe the series in your own words?

My most recent series is about the vulnerability we face when we feel we are on the giving end of a one sided relationship. It’s about the switch that flips between wanting to be loved and the fear of actually being loved. It’s about the chaos between the two, needing another when you are still searching for yourself. “I Could Not Protect Her,” the title, is inspired by a lack of security in the self, an insecurity that complicates any true sense of safety.

What inspired your method to storytelling?

I would attribute inspiration to my interpersonal relationships. The conversations that are had, the histories that are shared, the thoughts they stimulate and the feelings they spur.

I wanted somewhere I could honestly express the inner dialogue that accompanies my experiences – the things that I wish I had said or the things I actually said. You could say it’s the gaze into a parallel reality.

You’ve said that your work represents a personal inner dialogue and words you wish you had said. Is your work giving you the courage to do that more IRL?

Definitely. The reception to having the universe of my heart expressed so openly gives me strength. But people aren’t used to unfiltered emotions, so it’s getting me in a bit of trouble.

Love is complicated. Even with the emotional weight behind every still, are you ever challenged by what is still unsaid?

No matter how much I express, and express, and express – I choose to leave things unsaid. I choose to do this to protect myself. To maintain a healthy relationship with myself, I have to save some intimacy for just me.

To me, there’s a strong moral to “I Could Not Protect Her.” Would you say there’s a common thread in all your work and what would that be?

Because I work from within myself, I would say that I place honesty quite highly. The threads that weave my work together are transparency, indulgence, desire and connection. Apart from “Sex and Takeout,” and “Accept It,” I’ve always worked heavily with the theme of emotion. These are things that consume me, my heart and my mind. I have chosen to make these themes signatures to my work because they nourish me.

Have you had opposition to your stance on love and relationships?

Of course. There are so many different ways humans understand and interact with love. No two relationships in this world were ever the same. Every human has a different language of love so I take on any opposition to the way I view love as a way to challenge myself and grow. Simply put, that’s what relationships are. The challenge isn’t the opposition but the desire to express yourself honestly, understand the other person and love them how they need.

How is the Internet changing how people view artwork?

Because of the Internet, it is easier for people to view and appreciate art that they probably wouldn’t have had access to before. It is a great place for people to inform themselves on what art is out there. The nature of the Internet allows people to collect artworks that they cherish, and because of social media individuals can create personalized online galleries. It is great to see the art world bleed into the Internet.

The negative side to all of this is embedded in society’s consumption habits. There is so much art available on the Internet and this has a saturating effect. The quick blogging nature of social media has caused some desensitization to art. In my opinion, it only becomes a real problem when credit is not given where it is due. I am pretty vocal about my issues with copyright because, to me, it feels like theft on a personal level. You have to take the good with the bad.

I just wonder how much respect for the practice of art is being traded for greater accessibility and visibility.

Have people made parallels between your work and memes? Is that a negative connotation to you?

I actually don’t mind this description. A meme is something relatable and shareable, and if my art has that same essence, I think it is a positive. If my expression can’t be understood then maybe I’d feel more isolated but I actually take the “elegant meme” reference as a compliment.

You champion a tale about emotional transparency. What is one message you want to tell women everywhere?

The aspiration that I live by is: transparency in our words and actions is the future of emotional freedom.

Be rid of shame. Be rid of guilt. Replace these barriers with freedom. As women, we need to feel ownership over our desires and pride in our pleasures. Indulge in your words and indulge in your body. Put your heart first.

What’s next?

I gave a lot of myself to “I Could Not Protect Her” so it is time to recharge. I am currently in Sedona, Arizona, taking in the energy of the desert. Who knows where I will be on the other side of this solo retreat.

Read Full Article
Text By
Share this article

What to Read Next

This X-Girl Editorial Is Filled With Vintage-Inspired Summer Staples
Fashion

This X-Girl Editorial Is Filled With Vintage-Inspired Summer Staples

Styled with warm weather essentials.

Antoinette Robertson Opens up About 'Dear White People,' Her Acting Career and Overcoming Adversity
Culture

Antoinette Robertson Opens up About 'Dear White People,' Her Acting Career and Overcoming Adversity

The actress sheds light on the entertainment industry.

Watch Nicki Minaj's "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Tingz" Music Videos
Music

Watch Nicki Minaj's "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Tingz" Music Videos

Directed by Steven Klein and Giovanni Bianco.

Here's Where to Cop Kendrick Lamar x Nike's New Cortez Kenny III
Music

Here's Where to Cop Kendrick Lamar x Nike's New Cortez Kenny III

Alongside a lineup of Nike x TDE tour merch.

BAEwatch: Jessie Reyez
Music

BAEwatch: Jessie Reyez

The Toronto musician is delivering wisdom through song.

This Gigi Hadid x Tommy Hilfiger Logo Swimsuit Is a Vacation Essential
Fashion

This Gigi Hadid x Tommy Hilfiger Logo Swimsuit Is a Vacation Essential

Arriving with an open back design.

American Apparel Is Opening Its First Physical Store Since Relaunching
Fashion

American Apparel Is Opening Its First Physical Store Since Relaunching

AA returns to its roots.

Heron Preston's "Business Class" Fanny Packs & Hats Have Arrived
Fashion

Heron Preston's "Business Class" Fanny Packs & Hats Have Arrived

Take a look at the full collection.

Prada's Logo-Print Slingback Pumps Will Be Your Summer Go-To
Footwear

Prada's Logo-Print Slingback Pumps Will Be Your Summer Go-To

Featuring a pop of color.

Eileen Kelly's New Zine 'Pull Out' Examines The Way Millennials F*ck
Sex & Dating

Eileen Kelly's New Zine 'Pull Out' Examines The Way Millennials F*ck

Take an exclusive look inside the first issue.

More ▾
 

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.