Over the years, Sarina has exhibited in numerous solo, group, curated, and award exhibitions around Australia. Although she began as a painter and sculptor, in the past ten years her practice has evolved to incorporate photography and installation-based works. Sarina’s practice examines the seemingly ordinary and it's potential for surreal or extraordinary manifestations. She also has a broad fascination with “the absurd” especially in relation to the human condition. She holds a Degree in Visual Art Education from Melbourne University and in 1996 – completed a Master of Fine Art at RMIT University. Sarina has lectured at Swinburne University, the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne and has been teaching at Photography Studies College Melbourne since 1990.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A classical ballerina.

2. When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

At 15 - when I designed a "Sherbet" T-shirt.

3. How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?

Mixed media with a repulsive humorous edge.

4. What is the most important idea, issue, dilemma or thing that you want to address in your art?

Life is absurd.

5. What are the most important influences that have moved you as an artist?

Walking into the Cappella degli Scrovegni in Padova and confronted by Giotto's incredible frescoes.
Seeing Fra Angelico's The Annunciation in the convent of San Marco, Firenze – four separate times and always in awe.
Reading The Unspeakable Confessions of Salvador Dali as told to Andre Parinaud.
Reading Dianne Arbus: A Biography by Patricia Bosworth.
The words and music of Nick Cave – in fact anything Nick Cave!

6. Do you visualise your Art before creating? Do you know what it will look like before you begin? What's your process?

My head is constantly full of ideas, schemes and plans. I throw things around in my head for months and months before beginning a project. Then I start to play, experiment and make stuff. Through this process the work starts to form over 12-18 months – sometimes longer.

7. How important do you think it is for artists to know about art history, and why?

There is no point in reinventing the wheel is there?

8. How do you define success, and what keeps you going?

“Success” is when I have come even remotely close to making work that is unforgettable, thought provoking and that stands the test of time. This pursuit keeps me going.

9. What are some fun facts about you that may or may not be directly related to your art?

I fear birds yet I am drawn to them (from a distance – in books) – I don’t want them on me!! Is that a fun fact?
I have a dog on Prozac- but she is still nuts!
I used to run mini marathons and taught aerobics in the 1980’s (but I NEVER EVER wore leg warmers!!)

10. What hangs on your walls? Do you collect the work of other artists?

I love buying work from other artists (that I can afford). I especially like to support emerging artists and students. The work ranges from the surreal and strange to the sublime. I also sometimes put my own work up – just to live with it for a while.