Sarah Bauer

My work explores structure, movement, and the emotional weight carried within spaces. Inspired by urban environments, architecture, weathered surfaces, and the tension between order and chaos, I create layered abstract paintings that feel both constructed and instinctive.

Much of my process is intuitive. I build through texture, erosion, sharp lines, loose marks, and repeated revisions until the piece settles into balance. I’m interested in the push and pull between control and release — moments where restraint becomes just as important as energy.

While some pieces carry a bold industrial presence, others reveal quieter passages, subtle shifts in color, and traces of what came before. I want the work to feel lived-in, layered, and human.

My background in visual design influences the way I approach composition and spatial relationships, but emotion always leads the process. Each painting is meant to create presence within a space — something that continues to reveal itself over time rather than delivering everything at once.

My work is created for contemporary spaces that value depth, texture, atmosphere, and a strong visual presence.

May 22 - June 7, 2026 | Piccolo Spoleto juried exhibition at City Gallery | Charleston, SC


October 8-19, 2025 - South Carolina State Fair Fine Art Contest

August 2025 - Camden Art Shoppes Solo Exhibition