Sarah Smallwood Parsons
they/he/she
Astoria, NY, USA
Sarah Smallwood Parsons (they/she/he) is a queer artist based in Queens. They earned a BFA from the University of Connecticut, specializing in children’s book illustration and creating a humorous comic strip for the campus newspaper. After graduating, Sarah moved to NYC to pursue a career in comedy, training in improv, sketch, and character monologues at UCB Theater, where they currently perform and teach. They host the popular monthly character showcase “Characters Welcome” at UCB, and their original piece “The Song In Every Musical That No One Likes” has over 1 million views on YouTube, and is being performed across the country. During the pandemic, Sarah reconnected with visual art and began making jewelry from thrifted objects under the name Cry Baby Craft. They have since been featured in the SNAG In Focus LGBTQIA+/BIPOC Virtual Exhibition.
“Growing up in a dysfunctional home, I often felt unsafe. Though I received verbal and physical affection, I was parentified and thrust into adult conflicts involving divorce, addiction, mental illness, and financial struggles. I frequently felt responsible for my parents’ well being, but found solace in fantasy movies and books, where kids were rescued from their unfortunate circumstances and transported to magical worlds to discover their power. In this jewelry series, I’ve upcycled old dolls into spiked pendants, and paired them with second hand beads, to create a world of children who are born armored, making them impervious to harm.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“My work connects me to my childhood self, my parents (as both adults and children), and the unknown previous owners of the dolls. When worn in public, my jewelry sparks conversation and fosters connections with strangers who feel at ease commenting on something so familiar yet intriguingly out of context. My work invites viewers to connect directly with the dolls, looking into their eyes and holding their hands. It serves as a reminder that we are all linked by the childhood experiences we longed to be protected from and the hopes and dreams we acquired in response to them.“
"Space Kid 1", hard plastic doll, silver spray paint, vase filler, hot glue, resin, E6000, vintage beads, silver plated hardware, 20” x 4”, 2024
What role does connection play in your creative process?
“While exploring garage sales and thrift stores, I feel most connected to the dolls that show signs of being deeply loved or long forgotten, making them the most damaged. Some dolls resist being taken apart, either because they’re in good condition or because their construction doesn’t lend itself to separation, while others seem ready for transformation. I enjoy engaging with employees and fellow shoppers who ask about my choices and are curious why I’m interested in these seemingly undesirable dolls. I love pairing the dolls with second-hand beads, connected by their colors or shapes, as well as the fact that they both have a history.“
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“I didn’t truly grasp my own queerness until my late 20s, and sharing my jewelry at queer markets and events has played a vital role in that journey of self-discovery. Additionally, I teach comedic monologue writing and performance, forming meaningful connections with my students, many of whom identify as queer and have mostly experienced instruction from cisgender, straight, white male teachers.“
"Space Kid 2", hard plastic doll, silver spray paint, vase filler, hot glue, resin, E6000, vintage beads, silver plated hardware, 20” x 4”, 2024