Mother-daughter bond: Virginia and Sarah Coleman talk art, ambitions and love

This time around, we bring you a mother-daughter duo who've made it big in the art world. Virginia and Sarah Coleman are celebrities in their own right. Virginia is Senior director of Client relations at the Gagosian gallery while Sarah is a young visual artist who is known for her recent collaboration with Fendi. In a free-wheeling interview they open up to each other and talk about what they are passionate about the most.

“Connected!” answers Virginia Coleman in one word when her daughter Sarah Coleman asks her to describe their relationship. We couldn’t agree more. The bond between the two is evident in every motion and every word as captured by a passively-rolling camera that leaves control of the room to the pair. A passion for art - passion for Nathaniel Mary Quinn - and a family name connect the two, their mutual excitement leading to long talks, stories interwoven with family and work memories, and a few untold secrets. Currently away from their usual haunts - art galleries, museums, and the living room of their New York family home - Virginia and Sarah sit face to face and talk about art, ambitions, and love.

Artistic spirit and mother's love

The atmosphere is immersed in artistic spirit and brimming with mother-daughter love. The two take their seats in front of the camera and talk without reservation with “no secrets to hold back.” Sarah avers, glancing at her mother when the latter asks her to share an unshared secret. Virginia moves on, gently nodding with a smile, looking proudly at the woman that Sarah has become while inquiring as to how her parenting has contributed to Sarah’s success. Sarah is enthusiastic in her response, “You have always allowed me to be myself and make my own decisions. I never felt pressured to be anything. I think the room you gave me to explore allowed me to push myself and believe that I can find success in doing whatever I am passionate about. I never felt like I had to fit into a box, and I still don’t.”

“If I’m not comfortable I can’t function… if I’m not comfortable I don’t feel stylish,” affirms Sarah, who had a major year in her career following her collaboration with none other than the Roman luxury fashion house, Fendi. The New York-based visual artist is known for applying high luxury style to everyday items, producing unique works of art. She also expresses her playful style in a variety of media and art creations, like her unique collages. driven by her love for art since it was ignited in her soul as a young child, Sarah was very literally born to be an artist.

How it all began

Virginia’s passion for art found its way into her little heart during those childhood visits to museums and an auction house called Parke-Bernet. Although Sarah has experienced the strong influence of her mother’s artistic passion in their family life, she still considers its remarkable role in the way she was raised. Virginia says, “Art definitely has an influence in our family— you are an artist — innate since you were a small child."

"You were always drawing or doing ceramics or collage. Museum and art gallery visits have been part of our life both at home in New York and whenever we travelled — my mother started taking me as a little girl, and we are surrounded by art at home. I have also been privileged to work at one of the world's great museums, The Museum of Modern Art as well as one of the great art galleries, Gagosian,” she said.

The world of galleries

Virginia, the art lover and professional who has aptly built a name for herself in the world of galleries among well-known artists, has remarkable experience under her belt, especially her latest position as the communication director of the renowned American gallery, the Gagosian. Her flair for art and her tremendous eye for whatever has artistic value make her an incredible reference for all art eras and movements.

Her sincere favourite resides in the twentieth century, as she passionately shares with Sarah, “It’s difficult, almost impossible to choose one segment in art history because it is very expansive and it encompasses so many different styles and ways of working, but twentieth century is my favourite era. It is very transformative, more inclusive, and progressive, and worldwide it is fascinating to me with many women artists and abstract expressionists.”

Virginia’s preference reflects her particular taste for art, her revolutionary spirit as a woman, and her hunger for a more progressive and daring art. She has definitely infused this spirit into her daughter who believes that, “being an artist is pretty daring in the first place, already putting yourself out there, opening yourself up to anything, and expressing yourself is daring; to put your work out to the public is daring!”

Sarah’s daring enthusiasm is brilliantly translated through her artwork, especially that daring step she took to playfully repurpose designer materials. “Do you think that your bold decision to deconstruct a Louis Vuitton bag was your pass to success?” Virginia challenges Sarah, who confidently answers, “I think it drew attention to what I am capable of and gave me a jumping off point to do everything else I want to do”.

“I think it provided me with a sense of credibility that I can work with a very serious brand and deliver. I have the ability to start and complete a project with professionalism, creativity and drive.”

How Fendi defined her career journey

Sarah then explains to her mother how the collaboration with Fendi has defined her career journey. Following the collaboration, unveiled at Design Miami when Sarah designed the exterior and interior of the Fendi store, the luxury fashion brand chose to team up once again with the young visual artist for another partnership. The result was a capsule bag collection which was their most successful collection to date, and led to an expanded collection featuring eye-catching products and ready-to-wear to accessories. Virginia asks if there is any upcoming collaboration in sight. “I love working with Fendi, so any opportunity to create with them would be extremely thrilling for me.”

Although Virginia is aware that her daughter’s world is already full of high-reaching dreams, she tries to push the envelope even further by asking about the limits of her ambitions. Sarah again answers with her natural confidence, “I don’t feel limited by anything I can’t overcome.” Of course, Virginia is no less ambitious than her daughter, describing her dream project as an artist, “I would be so proud to collaborate with you on a museum project.” Sarah’s inquiry not only probes the ambitious spirit that Virginia has within, but once more highlights the pair’s bond and Virginia’s pride in her daughter.

What gives hope

“Seeing people worldwide triumph over difficult challenges created by the pandemic for themselves and for others” gives Virginia hope in life, but as a mother, her hope is seeing her daughter achieve her dreams. “Remain balanced and steady but forge ahead and focus on your goals.” Virginia ends with this eloquent motherly advice, smiling and perhaps thinking of the day when she will dare to take Sarah’s hand and go on a hot air balloon ride. She confesses this desire to Sarah. She would love to look over magical landscapes from high above — landscapes they created together with love, a breathtaking collage that depicts all the memories they have shared.