It’s often said that great art can come from great hardship, something that British artist Sarah-Jane Szikora might know a lot about. Having had major eye surgery at age 4 and struggling with an eating disorder from her teens to her early thirties, Szikora knows the meaning of pain and suffering, which she mines with often humorous effect in the canvasses of her intriguing oil paintings. Like the similarly whimsical and humorous work of German surrealist Michael Sowa, each painting offers intricate detail and a quirkiness that makes her work instantly recognizable. Szikora’s art, however, bears a message borne from painful life experience.
She has since conquered this debilitating condition, but its legacy is plainly visible through her art: the distorted bodies, tiny heads, a deep fascination with food and our relationship with it. Outrageously exaggerated figures and animals, snack foods and gingerbread men form the main subjects in her artwork. Her human characters — people who don’t fall under society’s most desired category — seem happy and comfortable with themselves. In this way, her art becomes a sort of study in the psychology of human behavior and a statement about the importance society puts on body image. Commenting on her ‘fat ladies,’ she says, “There is an obsession in our society about appearance: everyone is on a diet or opting for cosmetic improvements. Why is it we dislike ourselves so much?”
Finding the silver lining (and the humor) in life’s difficulties, it’s the intriguing art of Sarah-Jane Szikora.
Stephen Kelly Creative 
I was very entertained by these photos. My grin grew wider on each photo. Thank you for putting a smile on my face and joy in my heart while viewing your post.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Hi! Excellent. I’m glad everyone has had such a positive reaction to her work. I find it very affirming. I see her happiness, even if it was borne from a hard time.
These are fabulous!!!! My two faves are the one skiing down the ice cream, and the Russian nesting dolls 🙂
Hi Angeline. I’m glad people like her work. I find her very inspirational. She’s laughing through the pain, and creating awesome art.
These are interesting and say quite a bit about our society.
Hi Colline … they really do. I ‘get’ what she’s saying immediately, and knowing her backstory makes it a little more personal. I love her sense of humor, though, and her sense of whimsy.
These are laugh-out-loud great. I especially like the “Cheeky Devil” “Don’t Let the Boss Catch You” and ‘Mind Boggles”. What great wit and talent.
Hi Pat! So glad you liked this excellent art. I connected with her immediately. I just love her sense of the ridiculous!
I think we could do personality tests by which ones a person chooses as their favorite. Sort of like the ink blot but probably with greater validity. 😀
Fascinating.
Hi Hippie! Thanks for dropping by. Yes, very intriguing. Funny!
Oh! Now I remember! I had to come back to see what this was. My “Fascinating” seems somewhat understated. I truly was fascinated, but I think I was reading from work.
This I absolutly adore … happy, colorful and fun art … this I WANT! Love big bodies and the small heads, that is the way we really should look at ourselves at time … instead of have a far too big head. There is some sad undertune to some of her art, but I this I really enjoy. “Cheeky Devil” is so brilliant … thanks for sharing!
Hi Viveka … I so agree with you. There’s a strong sense of humor and whimsy in her work, but there’s also a layer of sadness just under the surface. Really glad you enjoyed this art.
There is certainly something very obsessive about the constant recurrence of the overweight figures in this art. I can’t say I like it, but I think it’s possible to understand some of the pictures without really warming to them. One hopes she is happier as an achieving artist and an adult. She is certainly quite talented.
Hi Victoria … I can see the pain in her work, but I also greatly appreciate the humor she’s found in it. So I can understand the constant recurrence of the obese characters in her work. She’s dealing with her own personal nightmares though her art, and I hope it brings her peace of mind.
These are sugary, sweetly, strangely awesome pieces! That Gingerbread Piped Piper, I die!
And I must add that Rude Food is probably my other favorite.
hehe … glad you liked these, impybat … i have so many faves … gotta love a tortoise slingin’ drinks at a bar!
Oh, I love it, and I think the photos of her canvases should be featured in fashion magazines to teach modern girls a valuable lesson. A marvelous post, Stephen! You bring us so much in these posts 🙂
Hiya, Paula! Agreed … I think she speaks a valuable voice for any girl who feels ashamed of her body because of what society deems is desirable. I found it important to present her work on my blog. I find her really inspiring as both an artist and a person.
🙂 She is inspiring 🙂
Beneath all the satire and frivolous titles, Sarah’s art looks fantastic Stephen! ‘Misfit’ could be a photograph!! I love ‘Yellow Afternoon’ too, very much. Have missed your art series. Hope to catch up when I find some time 🙂
Incredible shares, Stephen.
Well done!