The VOICE of Sara Berman, Class of 1993
In this episode, Tamlyn visits Sara in her London studio for an in-depth conversation about her unique creative process and life journey. Sara explains the fundamental basis of her art: the 'trickster whore' character derived from the Harlequin pattern and its roots in Italian comedy. Her work deconstructs female roles, societal expectations, and gender dynamics, using large-scale, textured paintings to portray these themes.
Sara shares her transition from a successful fashion design career to painting, driven by a desire for deeper creative expression and influenced by her early experiences in art at King Alfred School. She delves into her artistic techniques, emphasizing the unpredictability and emotional depth of her work.
The discussion also explores the significant impact King Alfred School had on Sara's development, from nurturing her confidence to fostering a sense of accountability and self-expression. Personal anecdotes reveal her cherished memories and lasting relationships from her school days. The episode highlights the family legacy at King Alfred School, with three generations attending the school, underscoring its long-lasting influence on their lives.
Sara reflects on how the school's child-centric approach and respect for individuality have shaped her and her children's resilience and creativity. This engaging episode offers a blend of personal stories and professional insights, providing listeners with a profound understanding of the intersections between art, education, and identity.
Creators and Guests
Composer
Amy Cash
Amy Cash is an actress, VoiceOver artist and an Old Alfredian from the Class of 2020, having joined The King Alfred School (KAS) for Sixth Form. Since KAS, she has gone on to train at Mountview Drama School and is pursuing a career in acting. She kindly offered to lend us her voice and record the introductions for Alfredian Voices - with a little help from Dan in music. Make sure to watch out for an Amy shaped space on a stage or screen near you soon!
Producer
Heather Roberts
Alumni and Development Officer: Heather has been the Alumni and Development Officer at The King Alfred School since 2020. Having become disillusioned with her career in the fashion industry Heather moved to this role within Development and Alumni Relations, pulling on her transferable skills. Heather credits her ease at engaging with new people and different audiences with having lived overseas for seven years in Moscow, Russia and Bogota, Colombia. As a self-confessed nosey person who likes a good natter, the Alfredian Voices podcast has been the dream project for Heather to work on.
Guest
Sara Berman
Working with the trope of the Harlequin as Trickster Whore, Berman examines the societal constructs of the female experience. She radicalises the historically female domain of portraiture. In painting herself, Berman refutes the male gaze and objectification of women. The figures are often defiant and Berman’s gentle muted aesthetic is fraught with contrapuntal layers, the canvas appears almost bruised; the visceral and corporeal juxtaposed with a delicacy and fluidity of line and movement. Berman’s work uses its very appeal to defy expectation: a violent transgression within beauty. Sara Berman (b. 1975, UK) lives and works in London, She studied fashion BA at Central Saint Martins in the 1990’s and worked in fashion before studying for
her MFA at Slade UCL graduating in 2016. Represented by Vielmetter Los Angeles
Producer
Tamlyn Worrall
Development & Alumni Relations Director: As a consummate professional in the Alumni Relations and Development space, Tamlyn brings years of experience to cultivating relationships with our Old Alfredians. With a footprint in South Africa, Australia, and Japan, Tamlyn proudly calls London home, and it’s here that she’s developed her career in the education sector. At the heart of what she does, Tamlyn loves connecting with and learning about our OAs. She approaches every conversation with a sincere curiosity and warmth, finding herself fascinated by the details of every story. This podcast series was a germ of an idea in 2020 and thanks to a fabulous podcast editor we have finally been able to bring these Old Alfredian stories to a wider audience.
