**[Sofia Saleh](https://www.cohart.com/sofiasaleh)** is a New York-based artist with Franco-Algerian and Yemenite heritage. After graduating from Aix-en-Provence University in France, her fascination with the traces people leave behind was ignited by the loss of her father to suicide. She began by capturing the remnants left on the streets. When Saleh relocated to NYC, she discovered that discarded gum, the smallest and most intimate trace of human presence, could serve as a profound symbol of individuality in her works.

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##### Can you describe your artistic process? What materials and techniques do you typically use?

My artistic process is deeply rooted in observing and reflecting on the traces that people leave behind, whether physical or metaphorical. I find inspiration in overlooked remnants and everyday details that most people might not notice, seeing them as fragments of human stories and experiences. My journey began with capturing photographs of these traces, but my practice evolved significantly when I relocated to New York City.

I was drawn to discarded gum as a symbol of human presence because it represents an intimate yet unnoticed mark of individuality. However, instead of using actual discarded gum, I work with natural chicle, which I melt and color with pigments. This allows me to maintain the symbolic integrity of the medium while creating pieces that feel more intentional and crafted. The process of melting and coloring chicle is almost meditative for me, as it lets me infuse each piece with a sense of uniqueness.

In addition to working with chicle, I explore my themes through performance art and printmaking. I often use public spaces as a stage, as they allow me to connect with people directly and create a shared experience. My performances and prints aim to provoke thought about the traces we leave behind, not just physically but emotionally and socially as well.

Ultimately, my process is about finding connections between personal experiences, collective memory, and the imprints we leave on the world around us. It’s a dynamic journey that continuously evolves as I respond to new ideas and experiences.

##### What message or emotion do you hope to convey through your art?

Through my art, I aim to convey a deep sense of presence, individuality, and the traces people leave behind. By working with materials like natural chicle, I explore overlooked remnants of daily life, seeking to highlight the invisible stories embedded in these traces. My goal is to evoke reflection on the fragility of life, the resilience of the human spirit, and the emotional weight of small moments. Whether examining personal loss or global crises, I strive to capture the intersection of personal and collective human experiences.

##### What role does spontaneity versus planning play in your creative process?

In my creative process, there's a balance between spontaneity and planning. I often start with a general concept or emotion I want to explore, but I leave room for unexpected discoveries along the way. The choice of gum as a symbolic medium came from observing unnoticed remnants in public spaces, which was a spontaneous realization. While I have a vision for each piece, I embrace the unpredictable nature of working with the material. It allows me to capture fleeting moments and reflections that planning alone can't achieve.

##### Can you discuss a piece that challenged you both technically and conceptually?

This piece _[The Unnamed](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cohart.com/artworks/17497?fromListingName%3DDiscover%26fromListingId%3Ddiscover&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1733454047692525&usg=AOvVaw2ueRBmJAqst7CnWm9jaLB-)_, created with natural chicle and mixed media on panel, challenged me both technically and conceptually in profound ways.

On a technical level, working with natural chicle as a primary material is always demanding due to its texture, which requires careful manipulation to achieve the desired form and detail. Blending it with other media in a collage format, especially in areas where I aimed to capture rough textures and stark contrasts, required patience and precision to maintain the cohesion of the piece while preserving the material’s raw quality.

Conceptually, this work pushed me deeply. The faceless figures and their surroundings speak to the themes of lost identity, conflict, and innocence tainted by violence. The facelessness of the children allows them to represent countless unnamed individuals affected by similar circumstances, making the piece both personal and universal. The inclusion of graph paper and target-like elements symbolizes systems and control, hinting at the mechanisms that perpetuate violence and the vulnerability of those caught within them. Balancing this heavy subject matter with a medium as simple as chicle helped ground the piece, serving as a reminder of the resilience and humanity within these stories despite the harsh reality.

Creating this work demanded that I confront the discomfort and sadness that comes with addressing such subjects, but ultimately, it reinforced the importance of art as a means to engage with and reflect on complex human experiences.

##### Can you share a specific project or piece that holds special significance for you? Why is it important?

One of my most meaningful works is my performance piece _Consciousness_, where I stood for an hour with a golden chain wrapped around my body, black tape over my mouth, and messages written across my skin and clothing. This performance was both a protest and a powerful tribute to Iranian women and to the fight for basic human rights around the world. The golden chain symbolized the oppression and restrictions placed on women, while the black tape over my mouth represented silenced voices. Standing in silence, I used my body as a canvas to convey a message that words alone could not express.

Across my skin were phrases like "Women, Life, Freedom" and "Our Body, Our Choice," statements that reflect the ongoing struggle for autonomy and dignity. The cloth I wore also carried bold, thought-provoking messages, such as "Post No Shame, Post No Wars"—a call for a world without conflict, judgment, or violence. By incorporating these words, I transformed my body into a protest sign, blending vulnerability with defiance.

This performance holds deep significance for me because it channels the collective strength and resilience of women fighting for their rights. Choosing to stand in silence, wrapped in chains, invited viewers to confront the harsh realities of oppression and to feel the weight of suppressed freedom. Through Consciousness, I hoped to spark a deeper awareness of human rights issues and to stand in solidarity with those whose voices are often silenced. The act of writing these messages on my body and clothing was a reminder that our bodies are powerful, that every mark on us holds meaning, and that even in silence, we can demand justice and change.

##### How important is the exhibition space to the presentation of your work? Do you adapt your pieces for different venues or spaces?

The exhibition space plays a vital role in how I envision my work being presented. Because my work centers on the traces of human presence in public spaces, I imagine each venue would offer unique opportunities to bring out different aspects of that experience. In a more intimate setting, for instance, I might focus on smaller, individual pieces that invite viewers to observe the personal details, similar to noticing something small but meaningful on a city sidewalk. In a larger, open space, I could envision scaling up the work or clustering pieces together to reflect the sense of movement and collective human presence.

While I haven’t yet had the chance to adapt my installations, the idea of engaging with the energy and context of each space excites me. Having that flexibility would let me amplify the underlying themes of fragility, resilience, and presence that are central to my work, and I look forward to opportunities where I can deepen that connection with viewers.

##### What impact do you hope your art has on the community or society at large?

I hope my art prompts people to slow down and notice the overlooked, everyday traces that surround us—small, seemingly insignificant marks that speak to our shared humanity. Through using discarded gum as a medium, I aim to make visible these remnants of human presence that often go unnoticed, highlighting how each one holds a unique story, a fragment of someone’s life.

On a broader scale, I hope my work resonates with people’s personal experiences and connects to collective issues like the resilience needed to face personal and global challenges. By engaging with humanitarian crises, as well as violence against women and children, I want my art to stir awareness and empathy. My goal is for my work to serve as a bridge between individual and collective struggles, encouraging a sense of solidarity and reflection on the impact we have on each other and the world, even in the smallest ways.

##### Do you incorporate any cultural or historical references into your work?

Yes, cultural and historical references are woven into my work, often subtly, as a way to explore the collective and personal aspects of human experience. My pieces reflect on themes like identity, memory, and resilience, which are deeply rooted in my own background and experiences as well as the broader histories I engage with.

For instance, my work has been influenced by my research on humanitarian crises and conflicts in regions, where cultural histories are intertwined with stories of resilience in the face of ongoing struggles. Additionally, my use of natural chicle as a medium is both a nod to tradition and a conscious choice, as it connects to the history of gum-making and natural materials that carry a sense of permanence and transience. This interplay of the personal, cultural, and historical deepens the narrative behind each piece, allowing viewers to connect with the work on multiple levels and perhaps see their own stories reflected in these marks of human presence.

##### How do you handle criticism or feedback on your work?

I approach criticism and feedback with an open mind, viewing it as an essential part of my growth as an artist. Since my work is deeply personal and tied to themes of identity, loss, and resilience, feedback often helps me understand how others connect—or don’t connect—with these ideas. I find that even critical perspectives offer valuable insight, especially when they challenge me to think differently or consider new approaches.

That said, I also balance external input with my own vision and intentions, ensuring that I stay true to the purpose behind each piece. Constructive feedback, especially from those who understand the cultural and emotional depth of my work, can be particularly enlightening. I view each response as part of the dialogue my work creates and use it as a guide to refine my approach, deepen my themes, and push my boundaries as an artist.

##### If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with any artist, I would choose _Kara Walker_. Her powerful use of silhouette and narrative to explore themes of race, gender, and identity resonates with my focus on the traces of human presence and the stories behind overlooked remnants.

Walker’s ability to confront difficult social issues through evocative imagery would complement my exploration of personal and collective traumas. I think together, we could create an installation that combines her striking visual storytelling with my use of gum as a medium, emphasizing the intersections of identity and the marks we leave behind in public spaces. This collaboration would allow us to engage with the complexities of human experience and amplify the voices of those often marginalized in society.

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Sofia Saleh’s art explores traces left by people, using natural chicle to reflect on identity, memory, and resilience in personal and global contexts.

Spotlight: Sofia Saleh’s Reflections on Presence and Absence

Spotlight: Sofia Saleh’s Reflections on Presence and Absence

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