I'm Sara Urbanski, a photographer and visual artist based in Helsinki, born in 1991 to Finnish mother and Polish father. I work with photography, installation, and video art.
.
My artistic exploration revolves around the concept of time and the multitude of perspectives that are present in our world. I'm intrigued by the question of what it means to exist in a particular time and place when viewed from various angles. I ponder how time manifests itself differently through human perception and whether there's a way to preserve it.
In my staged photography stories, influenced by short films, I aim to capture moments of introspection and solitude within human experiences. Life is often a busy narrative filled with interactions, yet underneath lies a personal, solitary journey. These unscripted moments of seclusion reveal the reality that, despite the company of others, we navigate life alone.
My photography stories offer glimpses into these solitary moments. Each series unfolds as a narrative, portraying the intricacies of human emotion, the echoes of solitude, and the pursuit of connection. Through careful staging and composition, I strive to create visual stories that resonate with viewers' own experiences.
These stories invite viewers to witness my subjects in moments of quiet contemplation amid life's noise. They prompt us to reflect on the paradoxical nature of human existence—a simultaneous yearning for connection and enduring isolation.
.
My artistic exploration revolves around the concept of time and the multitude of perspectives that are present in our world. I'm intrigued by the question of what it means to exist in a particular time and place when viewed from various angles. I ponder how time manifests itself differently through human perception and whether there's a way to preserve it.
In my staged photography stories, influenced by short films, I aim to capture moments of introspection and solitude within human experiences. Life is often a busy narrative filled with interactions, yet underneath lies a personal, solitary journey. These unscripted moments of seclusion reveal the reality that, despite the company of others, we navigate life alone.
My photography stories offer glimpses into these solitary moments. Each series unfolds as a narrative, portraying the intricacies of human emotion, the echoes of solitude, and the pursuit of connection. Through careful staging and composition, I strive to create visual stories that resonate with viewers' own experiences.
These stories invite viewers to witness my subjects in moments of quiet contemplation amid life's noise. They prompt us to reflect on the paradoxical nature of human existence—a simultaneous yearning for connection and enduring isolation.
Exhibitions (selected)
2023 The Veiled Hour, Helsinki Design Week, Studio Bom, Helsinki
2022 The Sense Of Spirituality, Helsinki Design Week, Primo venetsiatalo, Lapinlahti, Helsinki
2019 BORDERLINE, Video/ sound/ furniture installation, Väre, Otaniemi, Finland
2019 RAJATON, Helsinki Design Week, Erottaja 2
2019 Tree of continents installation, WantedDesign workshop, New York
2019 IS THIS AWKWARD video installation, The Final Frontier exhibition, Aalto University Väre, Finland
2018 Nirvana Chair exhibition, Stockholm Furniture Fair, Sweden
2017 Green Core light installation, Flow Festival, Finland
2017 Fotoni light installation, Market square, Finland
2016 Syli spatial installation, Habitare Furniture Fair, Finland
2023 The Veiled Hour, Helsinki Design Week, Studio Bom, Helsinki
2022 The Sense Of Spirituality, Helsinki Design Week, Primo venetsiatalo, Lapinlahti, Helsinki
2019 BORDERLINE, Video/ sound/ furniture installation, Väre, Otaniemi, Finland
2019 RAJATON, Helsinki Design Week, Erottaja 2
2019 Tree of continents installation, WantedDesign workshop, New York
2019 IS THIS AWKWARD video installation, The Final Frontier exhibition, Aalto University Väre, Finland
2018 Nirvana Chair exhibition, Stockholm Furniture Fair, Sweden
2017 Green Core light installation, Flow Festival, Finland
2017 Fotoni light installation, Market square, Finland
2016 Syli spatial installation, Habitare Furniture Fair, Finland
Awards
2021 First Prize, ADCE Awards, Photography
2020 First prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, photography
2020 Second prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, Nuoret Luovat
2019 Second prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, Nuoret Luovat
2016 First prize, Habitare Design Competition, Finland
Achievements
2022 member of Studio Bom creative collective
2022 Co founder S2 magazine with Claudia Cifu
2020-2022 Co founder of Von Us media with Piia Jalkanen and Liisa Karbin-Kosonen
Featured in
Sicky, Åben Journal, S2 magazine, Ante nouveau
2021 First Prize, ADCE Awards, Photography
2020 First prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, photography
2020 Second prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, Nuoret Luovat
2019 Second prize, Grafia ry, Vuoden huiput, Nuoret Luovat
2016 First prize, Habitare Design Competition, Finland
Achievements
2022 member of Studio Bom creative collective
2022 Co founder S2 magazine with Claudia Cifu
2020-2022 Co founder of Von Us media with Piia Jalkanen and Liisa Karbin-Kosonen
Featured in
Sicky, Åben Journal, S2 magazine, Ante nouveau
Some companies and people that I have worked with
Miltton
Dog agency
Aalto University
Helsinki design week
Nemo arkkitehdit
Paja & Bureau
Studio Finna
Keskipomppu
Aida Impact
Miltton
Dog agency
Aalto University
Helsinki design week
Nemo arkkitehdit
Paja & Bureau
Studio Finna
Keskipomppu
Aida Impact
Education
2018-2023 Aalto University, Master of Arts - MA, Interior Architecture
2019 Aalto University, Minor of Arts, Photography
2015-2018 Aalto University, Bachelor of Arts, Interior Architecture and Furniture Design
2016 Aalto University, Minor of Arts, Cinematography
Master class
2020 Maarten Van Severen master class, Glenn Martens, 5th edition, Belgium
2019 WantedDesing, New York
2018-2023 Aalto University, Master of Arts - MA, Interior Architecture
2019 Aalto University, Minor of Arts, Photography
2015-2018 Aalto University, Bachelor of Arts, Interior Architecture and Furniture Design
2016 Aalto University, Minor of Arts, Cinematography
Master class
2020 Maarten Van Severen master class, Glenn Martens, 5th edition, Belgium
2019 WantedDesing, New York