The brother of 31-year-old British artist Sarah Cunningham has issued a public appeal for help after she went missing in the early hours of 2 November. Anthony Cunningham took to X, formerly Twitter, seeking assistance locating her. He said, “My sister has been missing since 2:30 am on Saturday in Camden. She was last seen leaving the apartment complex on Jamestown Road, wearing all black. If anyone has any information, plz message me or the police. She has now been reported as officially missing.
The Metropolitan Police immediately relayed an investigation into her disappearance and released a description of her and what she was wearing. Authorities have confirmed their attempts to find her and requested “anyone with information to call police on 101, quoting CAD 2349/02Nov.” Camden Police took to X at 2:06 pm on 3 November to issue an appeal for anyone who could help locate her. As details of her disappearance emerged, London’s art community has networked together to help find the artist.
Sarah has received much acclaim, and her work is shown through the Lisson Gallery, which is known for its strong support of emerging and mid-career artists. Her practice draws heavily upon natural landscapes and fluid organic forms, which has placed Sarah as a rising star—from local to international quarters. Gallerists and fellow artists have joined in appeals to find her. The Reclaim Our Streets campaign—an organisation to prevent violence against women and girls—is among those joining the efforts to find her, encouraging their supporters to share Sarah’s information widely.
Sarah has links with Camden and Wandsworth. Her artistic background includes an MA from the Royal College of Art, winning the prestigious Ali H. Alkazzi Scholarship Award, and a residency in Panama, where she researched with the Kuna community.
Sarah’s paintings, with their dreamlike landscapes and characteristically vibrant colours, show a particular way of considering the relationship of nature to the human experience. She describes the painting process as “wild swimming, believing each piece to submerge into light, texture, and landscape.” Her unusually uninhibited way of painting, which includes nocturnal sessions enabling her to connect more deeply with her art, has made her an unequalled figure in contemporary art. Among her influences, she often cites literature, myths, dream sequences, and light effects in cinema and photography. She describes the process of “excavation” for recurring dreams and subconscious landscapes.
A prophetic poem by Lucille Clifton posted on her Royal College webpage states,
“I made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay
My one hand holding tight, my other hand; come celebrate with me That everyday something has tried to kill me
And has failed.” – Lucille Clifton
The disappearance of Sarah has sent shockwaves through the entire London art community. Her family and the Met Police are asking anyone who might have seen her or has any information about her disappearance to please come forward with whatever may help find her. This has brought the artistic community together in sending out their best hopes for a safe return, ensuring that her story is loudly spoken to get her back safely.