Sarah Sinisi (37) has built a life defined by her passion for art. From sketching as a learner at Krugersdorp High School (KHS) to working with some of South Africa’s most renowned artworks, her journey shows how a passion can shape a life’s purpose.

After more than two decades in the art world, she continues to breathe new meaning into every canvas and collection she touches.

Although she studied art at school, Sarah says her true passion for it grew stronger only later.

“While art was a much-loved part of my school career, it wasn’t until I was a little older that I realised this was where my passion lay. After finishing school, I decided to enrol for a Fine Arts degree at Wits University, without being entirely sure of what I would do with it, or where it would take me,” she says.

“As I grew more engrossed in the subject matter, I realised very quickly that I had found my niche, a place where I belonged. While I thoroughly enjoyed the practical side of my Fine Arts degree, I also developed a keen interest in the History of Art, though I was almost certain I would never pursue a career in art academia,” Sarah continues.

After graduating, she worked in the non-profit sector, focusing on upskilling craftspeople and creating sustainable livelihoods for them. Although she found this work rewarding, the limited funding for the arts made the role challenging.

Her first major step into the commercial art world came when she joined Graham’s Fine Art Gallery in Johannesburg, which specialised in 20th-century South African works. During her tenure, she had the invaluable experience of working with pieces by artists such as Irma Stern, JH Pierneef and Gerard Sekoto.

This exposure gave her a more rounded view of South African art and demanded that she fully immerse herself in the local art scene. She came to appreciate the richness and depth of South African art, recognising its significance alongside international masterpieces.

“I feel it was a blessing to have gained experience when I discovered the interconnectedness that South African art represented. I developed a new perception of how our country’s art history was connected to the rest of the world, linked to our politics and interwoven with the very fabric of our society.”

Her growing understanding of the art world also included the market side: why people buy certain works, what attracts them to investing in these pieces, and how factors beyond art influence purchasing decisions. To deepen her knowledge, she moved to Cape Town to pursue a master’s degree in art history at UCT, focusing on Irma Stern.

“My master’s involved not only reviewing her work, but examining how she evolved as a person, the factors that led to her popularity, and the dynamic nature of her reputation over time. Remarkably, she remained relevant within the South African landscape, with interest in her works growing, especially when viewed through the lens of our changing world and socio-political environment.”

Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Sarah has followed collections from their early stages to their maturity. She has helped bring collections to market and has seen the same works move into new homes. Observing how objects advance, gain new meanings, and take on different significance has been a rewarding experience.

“Art collection is a deeply individual journey; however, it is my responsibility to treat all artworks in such a way as to showcase the personal aspects of the collection, not merely as items contained within an academic study. To give new life – and homes – to all art pieces,” she concludes.