What Once Was Broken

Sara Gaqa

Sara Gaqa was born in Germany in 1980 and is of both German and Iranian heritage. Her childhood was shaped by living between these two cultures, offering her a broad perspective on identity and instilling a strong sense of global belonging. From an early age, she was drawn to art and design, spending much of her time drawing and painting. At the age of 14, she began painting on canvas—an artistic practice that has remained central to her life ever since.

In 2000, Sara Gaqa chose to pursue a path in the natural sciences rather than formally studying art. She earned a Master’s degree in Biology in 2006. Gaqa views art and science as deeply interconnected disciplines, both rooted in observation, curiosity, and a desire to understand the world—science through objective analysis, and art through emotional and visual expression.

While traveling through South Africa in 2006, Sara Gaqa met her husband. Two years later, she relocated to Cape Town, where they now live with their daughter in Hout Bay. Leaving her scientific career behind, she embraced her long-standing passion for art and began working as a full-time artist. Today, Sara Gaqa exhibits her work both in South Africa and internationally.

Sara Gaqa’s first experience of Africa left a lasting impression. She was deeply moved by the continent’s spiritual energy and the profound connection many people maintain with nature, tradition, and community. The vibrant cultures, rich colours, and organic rhythm of daily life continue to be powerful influences in her work.

Sara Gaqa’s paintings explore themes of connection, longing, and the universal search for meaning. At times, this search is directed outward—toward the sky, the unknown, or the divine. At other times, it turns inward, expressed through introspective moments or the emotional gaze of a figure. Eyes frequently feature in her work, inviting viewers into a moment of direct, personal reflection.

Sara Gaqa also draws deep inspiration from words, poetry, literature, and philosophical texts often serve as emotional and conceptual starting points for her pieces. Lines or fragments from meaningful texts are frequently incorporated into her paintings— sometimes hidden, sometimes visible—adding another layer of meaning and inviting viewers to explore the relationship between language and image.

Working primarily with oil paint, alongside materials such as acrylic paint and gold leaf, Sara Gaqa uses both brushes and palette knives to create a balance between naturalistic and abstract elements. Her goal is to create art that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect—both with themselves and with something greater.

Sara Gaqa has exhibited her work widely, including at ART Innsbruck, an art fair in Austria, as well as numerous exhibitions across South Africa and Europe. She is an integral part of The Travelling Art Gallery, through which she has participated in exhibitions in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Ludwigshafen, Munich, Kassel, and Palma de Mallorca.

In South Africa, Sara Gaqa is exclusively represented by The Artists Gallery.