Sabu Chan's Circle of Hell

Memento Tea
Feb 11, 2019
6 min read

Welcome to the new "Artist's Circle Of Hell" editorial: a journey through the eyes and thoughts of magnificent Dark Artists.

Today we are delightful to talk with Sabu Chan, one of old time collective's member, who participated in the last auctions with such powerful ink drawings!

Sabrina Votano is mostly a self-taught illustrator and dark comic artist from Italy. She attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Torino majoring in Painting, then studied art on her own. Influenced by H.R.Giger's "Alien" creature from the innocent age of 4, she enjoys creating dark, sensuous feminine creatures and literally "mistresses of the dark" (though she still didn't watch a single Elvira's movie). Portraits are her favourite way to express her inner gloomy feelings; it doesn't matter if a body feature isn't a symptom of socially acceptable beauty. A scar could be the most intriguing trace of a deep charming soul.

Enjoy the interview!

First circle - Limbo

How old is your soul? Do you have an inner child?

I am rather proud of being a Gemini, the zodiacal sign of the dualism. My soul is split into two distinct parts: the first feels the weight of the slow passing of time from 30 years; the second is an eternal young woman of 24 years old. To be honest, I have no clue why I choose this number. It was from my fourteenth birthday that my inner self has split into two souls, the one that mumbles over the impending oldness and the one that wants to reach and stop at a certain age by living carefree. Obviously the first one takes more roots.

Second circle - Lust

Before you have reached your artistic path, have you ever instinctively tried different fields that did not appeal to you, just for the sake of it? Are you still in search for your art style?

I experimented with different paths related to art, but always in conjunction with painting. I tried the sculpture, which I personally find very similar to drawing in some ways, but I found it more difficult to create the "real" three-dimensionality. “Flat” paper drawing suits me better. I threw myself into the theater: it partially helped me to discover different facets of empathy and the introspection of the characters is the most dear theme to me nowadays, but even acting did not satisfy my desire for Art. I also tried with the music and ... well, it was a failure relationship but certainly it finished in a mature and peaceful way. As for my artistic style, I can declare that I found it. I am interested in the hidden essence of souls, so realism is what comes closest to my needs.

Third circle - Gluttony

How hungry are you for the art, for your passion? How much are you addicted and addicted to it, moving away from your perception of reality?

I am constantly looking for inspiration, I devour everything that I see, a photograph or an artistic work that I admire. I would like to be able to assimilate the abilities of others, process them and spit them out as if they had always been in my possession. It's a mixture of Gluttony and Greed, and also Sloth. That inner child mentioned abovewould like to experiment everything everywhere in every moment, but Old Me doesn't find the time, the desire, the spirit of initiative. It's a complex and morbid battle, even if it never stops my addiction. It's a sweet drug that makes me daydream and not even slaps can wake me up.

Fourth circle - Greed

Sometimes, do you feel greedy with your job? Do you think that a strong attachment to money can compromise your art? No intention to offend, but only to explore what goes beyond being a "starving artist".

I don't feel greedy at all. Art is entertainment and it is everywhere. Want to read a new book? Be ready to pay. Do you want to listen to the new CD of your favorite singer? Be ready to pay. Want to see the new movie? Be ready to pay. I bet that each of us has taken the illegal way at least once in our lives but let's reflect: behind every work of art there is a creator, be it a writer, an actor, a singer, a designer; each of these figures has worked hard to produce the entertaning object we have in our hands, they spent effort, sweat and so much money. If you always get benefit of every type of art for free or you claim it for free, there would be nothing that would fill our moments of boredom. Art makes us smile, cry, simply elaborate fantasies. It is not born of nothingness and can not be expected to not have a price. Drawn art is at the same level of all other kind of arts. So be prepared to pay for your entertainment, because without fuel no car can run and without bread no artist can produce art.

Fifth circle - Anger

How you see the Art World today? There are some stuff that make you uncomfortable?

Current art marketing is one of the things that makes me angry. Actually it's not a recent topic, there has always been a clear preference on "what to show", "what to sell", "what has value", putting in the shadows' area many meaningful and refined works. I think that many artists have less spotlights than they deserve, while other kinds of art stand out for quite silly reasons. The emotion that a work of art arouses is strictly personal, but I feel sorry when the emotion is conveyed by a so big Name casting shadows over everything else, as if it had never existed. Art thus becomes advertising and not expression.

Sixth circle - Heresy

Have you ever done a project or commission totally different from your kind of art? (for example, as fairy art, erotic art, fantasy art or comic art)

I had a couple of experiences outside of my artistic genre. I have no problem representing erotic art or simply love, but in my vision it has certain angles, nuances, minimal facets, sometimes easy and sometimes difficult to understand. Even the most beautiful feeling has that point of negative emotion behind. I have been asked for some sweetened commissions that I have completed only for my Greed (read above!) On which I haven't had the opportunity to include a comma of personality. The work were flat, in every sense. They probably had a strong meaning for the customers, why not, but personally they didn't even leave me a half feeling. The client is always right, but to prevent the artist's spiritual expression is heresy, something totally foreign to my art.

Seventh circle - Violence

Are you afraid to represent cruel stuff of the reality in your art? If not, it goes beyond the simple visual impact?

Violence is everywhere. It's hidden in every corner of our soul. Usually violence is related to sufference, but this can also be experienced in a reassuring emotional state. A punch in the stomach is violent as the flicker of a thousand butterflies in the stomach to see the beloved one, except that instead of drawing curious flying and colored bugs I prefer a more raw representation. It is not necessary to include blood to make a violent scene. The visual impact is everything, the emotions pierce our bodies. It is too easy to dwell on politically correct icons when a feeling hurts us physically. Not hearts but spears. Not butterflies but thorns. And when I want to portray the violence linked to a negative feeling, well, there is more fun (Haha)!

Eighth circle - Fraud

Without naming, have you ever been deceived by a false customer or company? What was your initial feeling? Do you want to give some advice to those who are new in this field? Don't worry if you do not want to answer.

I sadly had this kind of experience a couple of times. Honestly, I was undecided about how to move. To give up? To shout? To laugh? I absolutely do not recommend using the public pillory; if someone has been unfair to your work of art, if they didn't want to recognize the paternity of your work, never lower yourself to their level. It's petty to steal as much as to do public shaming. Always think "and if they'll do this to me? and if I receive this treatment unfairly?". Looking for a direct way with the interested person is always the best solution; of course, explain your anger or surprise to your close friends isn't bad at all. In my experience, fortunately, I haven't had to deal with companies and scammers, but with other artists who wanted to take advantage of the easy way. Mistakes are allowed, correct them is mandatory. Avoiding these situations should be a law.

Ninth circle - Treachery

Would you ever exchange your life as artist with a safer and quieter life? What would you do if you could not make art?

The only way I would like to change my life as an artist is ... being an artist and live by my art, in the strictest sense. Eating thanks to the works I sell! (ahah) Unlike I've always wanted to run a club, organize events, prepare drinks and snacks, become an unparalleled reference point. Practically make customers happy with what I "create" for them, even if in a different context. Even a pub is artistic in its own way, and beer and music are great, no objection allowed. Period.