INTERVIEW: Steve Sangapore Talks About His Work Featured In The Sciart Center Exhibition "The New Unconscious"

Steve Sangapore, "…And Then There Was Life," Acrylic on Canvas, 24” x 30” x 2,” 2014

By Danielle Kalamaras
Web Editor at SciArt in America

Steve Sangapore's work is featured in the virtual exhibition The New Unconscious currently on view on SciArt Center's website. The artist states about his work, "“The unknown is at the epitome of my work. Unknown suggests a lack of knowledge or understanding, which inherently calls for a journey to a state of known. My art addresses the greatest and most profound “unknowns” of life: the nature of reality, experience, consciousness and the pursuit of it’s mysteries through science and the humanities."

The artist took the time to speak to me about his work and what the 'new unconscious' means to him as an artist:

Danielle Kalamaras: How do you define the "New Unconscious"?
Steve Sangapore: 

The term new unconscious can have an abundance of broad interpretations and this exhibition has been an exciting display of just that. Not unlike the scientific and creative communities, I define the unconscious as an area within the mind that is inaccessible to our conscious forefront but affects our behavior, emotions and general processing of existence. 

The new unconscious to me is the unconscious defined traditionally, but a global connectivity intertwined within the psyche of its subjective parts. The human race grows and learns as a collective unit through individual and global unconscious processes. The new unconscious guides the collective mind as we are introduced to new discoveries and experiences. Unlike the conscious mind, the unconscious functions in a realm virtually infinite in its dynamism.



click to continue this interview:

Steve Sangapore, "The Room," Acrylic on Canvas, 48” x 36” x 2,” 2013

What part does this unconscious play in your work?


Themes in my work deal greatly with questions surrounding the nature of consciousness and experience. I visually address these questions through the use of scientific archetypes and themes I have personally developed through contemplation of these subjects.



The unconscious can be a metaphor for our indelible state of unknowing. What I mean by this is that just like how the mind’s unconscious is virtually inaccessible, so may be the objective nature of experience. As subjective subjects, we have no way of stepping outside of our subjectivity to an objective point of reference. This idea is something that I attempt to display in my art.

From the point of view of creative process, the unconscious takes the reins of creativity once I am deeply involved in a project. Slipping in and out of conscious awareness, the two states of mind work in tandem to create and express an idea. 

How does the unconscious affect your everyday perception and behavior? 


The unconscious very much the dictator of my conscious action and behavior. It is as much truly me as my conscious state, but much more dynamic and efficient in its ability to process information. 

What does "SciArt" mean to you?


Scientists and artist are often the embodiment of polar opposite features. The scientist uses rationality and logic where as the artist is guided by intuition. The two, however, share many creative and self-developmental features. These two worlds coming together as art-inspired science and science-inspired art is the bridge binding two of humanity’s greatest developments. A relatively new idea to contemporary art, the genre SciArt brings new knowledge and awareness to both disciplines while expanding our new unconscious.

Steve Sangapore's work is featured in the virtual exhibition The New Unconscious curated by Danielle Kalamaras. This exhibition features the work of 30 SciArt Center members. Click here to see all the featured artwork and to learn more about each artist. 

The New Unconscious pop-up exhibition will be held October 3-4 with an opening on Saturday, October 2 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Live music and refreshments will be served.
The New Unconscious
The SciArt Center at Creations Gallery
89 Ave. C
New York, NY 10009

Want your work featured on SciArt in America's Blog? Tweet Danielle Kalamaras @danileekay to check out your artist website or portfolio.