Art2Muse

Artworks available to view in Sydney

Sophie has always had a strong passion for art; and was immersed in it from a very young age. Her grandmother was a mannerist sculptor, her mother a student of the arts; and her father a collector.

Sophie’s career led her into copywriting, magazine editing and marketing development, specifically for the not-for-profit, where “the creative process” continued for her.

Sophie dabbled in painting for years – and it was only when her children were out of nappies, that she joined a painting studio, and picked up where she’d left off.

“My works are truly expressionistic – each line, painted, drawn or scratched out, spontaneously creates the composition; although of course there is an element of intuition that also leads – so the accidental and intelligent play a delicate role. Often the works change direction in my quest for that balance of line, tone and colour.

“I use washes in some works combined with bridging and layering – as well as large areas of flat colour to create ambiguity. Placement of colour, whether bright or subtle, is important to me for visual shifting and is also often added to create that element of surprise or incongruity.

“Coming from South Africa where I adored the open spaces, I do have a passion for ‘where the land or water meets the sky’. Most recently I have started working on portraits – these are not representational of anyone, having arisen from my sub-conscious – they are charcoal with an oil glaze – being an expressionist, I loved the flexibility of this medium – where the gesture became more important than the technical.

“From a very young age I had an admiration for European artists, and in particular French artist, Janzen and Picasso.

“My art encompasses years of self reflection and a passion for the arts since the age of 5.”

Art Relevant

Matriculation History of Art, South Africa
St Ives School of Painting, UK. Summer Workshop
Certificate Colour & Design, Sydney
Creative Development, Creative Response Agency
Member of Hart Start Painting Studio, Rozelle
Mentored by Joanna Drew – Director for 20 years of London’s South Bank Hayward Gallery
Volunteer publicity to artist organizations
Gallery Director – Seeger Gallery
Executive Director – BMAC (Artists Company)
Guest Curator – NSW Parliament House; Shapiro, Woollahra; Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Advisory Committee – Blue Mountains Heritage and Regional Gallery
Artist Agent
Art sourcing and interior design consultant

Selected Exhibitions

The Curtis Gallery, Balmain – joint exhibition 2003
Orson & Blake – solo exhibition 2004
The Watch House Gallery, Balmain – joint exhibition 2005
The Artists Gallery, Katoomba – solo exhibition 2005
Art Sydney 2005
The Artists Gallery, Katoomba – solo exhibition 2006
The Watch House Gallery, Balmain – joint exhibition 2006
Art Melbourne 2006
Art Sydney 2006
Global Gallery, Paddington – joint Abstract Show 2006
Art Singapore 2006
Shapiro Joint Show, March 2007
Newington Armory Gallery, Sydney Olympic Park - joint show October 2007
NSW Parliament House, - joint show January 2008
Seeger Gallery joint exhibitions, February 2008
Art Sydney 2008
Newington Armory Gallery, Sydney Olympic Park - joint show November 2008
Gaffa Gallery, Surry Hills, Design Institute of Australia’s textile designers June 2009
The Edge, The art of seeing, October 2009
Artfest, Wentworth Falls, October 2009
Gaffa Gallery, The City, joint established and emerging textile designers June 2010
Artfest, Wentworth Falls, October 2010
Art Sydney 2010
Desert Reflections, Tali Gallery, November 2010
Gaffa Gallery, The City, Design Institute of Australia’s textile designers June 2011
Artfest, Wentworth Falls, October 2011
Camden Xmas Show, Civic Centre, December, 2011

Sophie works on painting commissions and has works in private collections throughout Australia, in South Africa, the US, UK, Denmark and Singapore.

Projects: Sophie works on design concepts collaborating with other artists by identifying and developing commercial and sustainable opportunities - her Indigenous rug range is distributed nationally through the Rug Collection; and her arthouse fabric products are available through The Eco Collective. The artists and their communities receive royalties. She works as interior designer with art sourcing as emphasis.