Shari Luian on Grief, Symbolism, and the Power of Analog Art

Shari Luian creates deeply emotional analog collage art that confronts themes of loss, transformation, and the cosmic unknown. Inspired by personal tragedy, avant-garde music, and the duality of life and death, her work fuses raw emotion with symbolic imagery like skulls, eyes, and anatomy. With every hand-cut piece, Luian invites viewers into an intimate world where healing and connection happen through art. We spoke with her about her creative process, inspirations, and the catharsis behind each collage.

1. How did you first get into making collage art?
What sparked your interest or inspired you to begin creating?

I had always been interested in collage but never knew how to get into it. I got inspired one day about 13 years ago and haven’t stopped since. 

2. What does your collage process usually start with — an image, a concept, or an emotion?
Tell us a bit about how a piece comes to life. 

Emotions are always the reason behind each piece of collage that I make. Typically I find myself longing to release emotions through my collage art and it has always helped me get through whatever comes my way. \

3. Recurring motifs like skulls, eyes, anatomy, and cosmic elements appear in your work, do they hold specific meaning for you?
We’d love to hear about the symbolism or intention behind these elements.

I think we all have a fascination with life and death. The symbols of death are always showing up in my work. Both purposefully and sometimes just naturally. 

I have tragically lost a lot of friends over the years. I find that these symbols somehow bring me closer to them. 

4. Who or what are your biggest artistic influences?
This can include visual artists, musicians, writers, films, or anything else that feeds your creativity.

Musical and art wise, I love the avant garde. 

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum is a band that holds a very beautiful and symbolic place in my heart. 

I love films about life and death, the true beginning and end of life. Those things have always inspired me in both my art and my music. 

5. Do you work entirely analog (cut paper, glue), or do you incorporate digital tools as well?

I work entirely analog. I only use pieces of paper that I have cut and I mold everything together with Modge Podge (it can be a tiresome technique but worth it)

6. What’s your favorite part of the collage-making process? 

The release of emotions. Finding others who also share these emotions. It’s truly beautiful when people are drawn to your work from emotions. It helps motivate you to keep creating. 

7. Is there a particular piece that holds deep personal meaning for you?
We’d love to hear the story behind it.

Yes. I made a collage on April 23rd of this year that truly drew out every emotion I had. 

I lost a very close friend at the beginning of this year and it has been a very hard journey. 

The title is:

Where does the love go

Now that you’re gone 

Memories are tumbling 

I cannot move on

8. What do you hope viewers take away from your work? 

Raw emotions. I hope that the viewers will feel truly inspired to make their own work and to see my work and feel the raw emotions that I am trying to portray. 

9. Do you have any upcoming projects, collaborations, or exhibitions you’re excited about?

In the process of collaborating with a dear friend Sawyer on some upcoming show flyers! 

My second album is in the process of being made with my band Curdled Skin.