Sierra Roberson

Sierra Roberson (she/her) is a visual artist working in drawing and painting. Her practice is a surreal personal narrative, giving viewers a glimpse through the complicated lens of the ever-colliding human experience between her and her subjects. She is a self driven artist who looks to give Black Americans struggling with mental health and addiction a voice by portraying her own struggles in her work. Sierra is based in her hometown, San Diego, completed her BA in Fine Art at San Diego State University's School of Art + Design in 2024 and is currently working on freelance projects throughout the county.

Growing up in a household of eight in the heart of San Diego, the importance of connection was ingrained in my identity. I began to examine the human experience in individuals who share a moment of vulnerability and I challenge the ideal of perfection. Personally, I value the raw depiction of actors playing sensitive human roles and glorifying lyrical music that embodies reflections of my own story. I find it difficult to share how I’ve experienced my life up until now as I struggle to understand what that looks like. My work is heavily based on recapturing and portraying the subject from a photo representing their authentic identity. For this process, it’s important for me to be able to portray the person I saw initially who looks at me rather than the artificiality of a camera lens. The conversation I share with my paintings is my personal perception of the veiled non-representational world.
 My art explores the idea of what perfection is and how it’s valued. I try not to limit myself to using only oil paint as my primary painting source by mixing mediums such as acrylic paint and glitter to further advocate the misleading concept of perfection. I cling to the individual no one sees who accidentally reveals themselves in quiet moments. With the development of social media we are encouraged to put on a face of who we wish we were but when we are not watched something beautiful is revealed. The imperfections of someone’s character create for an authentic person similarly the imperfections of a painting is what makes it more congenial.
The visual paintings serve as a mute film alluring its audience with reassurance. The safety of my paintings develop a connection with the viewer with varying conclusions of concepts considering perfection, authenticity, and the human experience.

CA

San Diego