Volume 3, No. 34 August 29 and September 5, 2003
Sajecki phones home By Hannah Pittard Alumna Christine Sajecki (B.F.A. painting, 2001) brings her work to life with “Telescapes,” an exhibition at Atwell’s Art and Frame, 228 W. Broughton St., Sept. 6 - Oct. 4. Like many of her peers, Sajecki has had to make certain sacrifices for her work. “Sometimes you have to prioritize art over food, sleep and comfort in general,” she said. “My method, which I’m not quite sure works and I’m not necessarily recommending it, is to get jobs that don’t drain me mentally or physically, so I have energy to paint at night. I find I work best when my job has nothing to do with art, so my art brain can just be mine.” After experimenting with positions such as live-in nanny and California river guide, Sajecki made her way back to Savannah where, with the help of her friend and alumnus Marcus Kenney, she eventually found a comfortable position at Atwell’s Art and Frame. Though the job does deal with art, she said it still is a relaxing atmosphere that helps her preserve energy for her work. “I love the atmosphere there. My boss is friendly with everyone who comes in to get something framed, and everyone is entirely at ease,” she said. “I’m usually in the back, fitting the pictures or building the frames, and I really like the whole process of that — taking raw materials and making something special.” Sajecki feels similarly about her painting, to which she said she dedicates most of her nights. “All of the paintings [in this show] have people talking on the phone,” said Sajecki. “It’s sort of sweet how people suddenly always have to be in touch with other people at all times, but at the same time it’s kind of bizarre and intrusive, and I hope to express that.” Sajecki worries that she is still a “naïve babe in the woods in almost all ways” when it comes to marketing herself and her art. Happily, the paintings featured in “Telescapes” belie a more confident and aggressive side of the artist. Sajecki said she hopes the audience will recognize the bizarre as well as the beautiful in her work. “I hope they laugh, and I hope they think of these paintings the next time they are talking on the phone in the bathtub or in the woods or walking down the train tracks or some other off-the-wall location,” she said. “Telescapes” is on display at Atwell’s Art and Frame, 228 W. Broughton St., Sept. 6 - Oct. 4. A reception will be held Sept. 6, 6-9 p.m., with music by DJ Johnny Zvago.