The Full Tapestry (Long Bio)
Emerging Artist winner of the 2017 Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Award
Video by Joshua Franzos of Treehouse Creative, LLC, a Pittsburgh-based storytelling collaborative of filmmakers and musicians. More information may be found at Treehouse Creative at http://www.manwithcamera.com.
Sarika Goulatia, an interdisciplinary Asian-American artist, immigrated to the United States in 2002 to pursue a degree in art. As a conceptual artist, her expansive creations span large-scale sculptures and immersive installations, intricately weaving together ceramics, bronzes, aluminum, wood, and found objects to depict societal complexities such as gender inequality, environmental degradation, and cultural assimilation. Her diverse identities, shaped by her experiences as a South Asian woman in America, inform her art and contribute to its unique perspective, blending Eastern aesthetics with contemporary Western art and transcending her visual language across cultural boundaries.
Across her works, she crafts three-dimensional narratives employing traditional and modern techniques, including digital prints, fabricated acrylic panels, textiles, and poetry. Fearlessly delving into the profound depths of human experience, Goulatia navigates the intersection of personal challenges, socio-political issues, and cultural dynamics, seeking to elevate and amplify the stories of others. Her art, with its deep connection and empathy, leaves an indelible mark on the viewer, inviting them to reflect and engage.
As an artist embodying diverse identities—including those of dual citizens, immigrants, and global observers—Goulatia passionately embraces her artivist journey. Guided by the Bhagavad Gita, she places paramount importance on the artistic process, relentlessly pushing intellectual and physical boundaries. Her labor-intensive creations witness her unwavering commitment to uncovering possibilities and challenging comfort zones. Goulatia's artivism serves as a powerful catalyst for change, igniting positive transformation and compelling viewers to confront uncomfortable truths in pursuit of a more just and sustainable world, instilling a sense of inspiration and hope in all who encounter her work.
Notable solo and group exhibitions include the solo shows where is the sky?, dressed with d.r.e.s.s. at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, prosecuterix at The Carlow University Gallery, a million marks of home, featured in India in Focus exhibit at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Goulatia has exhibited in multiple group shows at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, the McDonough Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum of Art, the National Indo-American Museum of Art, and the Mattress Factory Museum of Contemporary Art.
Goulatia's artistic prowess has been recognized with the prestigious Carol R. Brown Award for Creative Achievement, provided through the Investing in Professional Artists grants program. This program is a partnership of The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation. In addition, she received the Sally Gehl, Samuel Rosenberg, and Elizabeth Jones Award in Humanities and Art at Carnegie Mellon University. Goulatia has been granted residency and exhibition opportunities at Meta and Alloy at Carrie Furnace. The Heinz Endowments and the Trypp Hotel have commissioned her work, a testament to her talent and impact in the art world.
Goulatia's commitment to her mission is unwavering. She has served on multiple boards, including the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Brewhouse, The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, and the Pittsburgh Art Commission, demonstrating her dedication to the arts and her community. She is also a proud member of the #notwhite Collective, a testament to her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the arts. Her mission is clear: to create works that not only elevate and make visible the stories of others but also challenge societal norms and inspire change.
https://www.sarika-goulatia.com/
IG @sarika.goulatia.art