Electronic Press Kit
Artist Sarey Ruden, creator of Sareytales, during her TEDxDetroit Talk “The Art of Online Dating”, November 2019.
About Sarey
Sarey Ruden is an artist and graphic designer from Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan’s School of Art & Design in 2003, she moved to NYC to pursue a career in advertising. After taking her bite out of the Big Apple, Sarey moved home to the Detroit suburbs to be closer to family. When she’s not turning the ugliness of online dating into art, Sarey enjoys riding her bike, sushi and long naps.
Artist Sarey Ruden, creator of Sareytales for SEEN Magazine’s Annual Women’s Event, 2020
About Sareytales
Sareytales is a collection of art and designs inspired by the creepy, cruel and misogynistic messages Sarey Ruden has received during her online dating journey. Using her art and design background, quirky brand of dark humor along with personal experience and insight, Sarey turns tragic dating app messages into fearless and thought-provoking works of art. Follow her on Instagram @sareytales to see her work, learn about ugly-into-art process and join in the discussions which area almost always happening in her stories.
About Once Upon a Feminist Podcast
Artist Sareytales navigates the intersection of online dating and feminism. Is happily ever after just an illusion? Join her as she seeks expert advice on her quest to rewrite the fairytale.
“Once Upon a Feminist” is available wherever you download your podcasts. Subscribe below.
TEDx Detroit November 2019
What if you didn't let insults define you, but empower you? Join Sareytales as she categorizes the insults and the men who hit "send", by re-contextualizing the toxic messages many receive on dating app platforms into works of art. Sarey’s presentation titled “The Art of Online Dating” exposes the dark side of online dating, highlighting the cyber-bullying, sexual harassment, and toxic masculinity all too prevalent in the digital dating ecosystem.
Presenting “The Art of Online Dating” at the TEDxDetroit Event at the Masonic Temple, November 2019
Key Links
Humble Brags
Detroit Jewish News Feature / 3.3.21
Detroit News Feature / 2.13.21
Detroit’s SEEN Magazine Women’s Event 2020 Interview
Powering Up Women Podcast Interview
All Women On Line Protest Editorial
Nevertheless Gallery Exhibition Curation
Tinder Moments Detroit Art Week Joint Artist Exhibit
The Fullest Magazine Interview
Thank You
What began as a fun project conceiving clever designs from cruel words has turned into something much larger. Sarey’s art is sold in boutiques, pop-up shops, art fairs and subscription boxes, reaching thousands of people globally. Her work has been included in gender studies course discussions at Michigan State University and Texas Women’s University, as well as in research papers focusing on feminism and modern art. She also has participated in international art shows from Detroit to San Francisco, from Seattle to London, with more events and collaborations on the horizon.
The message her art conveys is provocative yet relatable, and empowers others to stand up to the toxic masculinity, gaslighting, negging and other injustices all too common in the online dating world.
Join Sarey as she turns ugly into art, one text at a time.
Sarey at Detroit’s annual Erotic Art Exhibition “The Dirty Show”. Posing with her piece “Creme de Femme” / 2019