Sophie Saunders, 'Dearest delight', 2024, oil on board, 410 x 305 mm Photographic credit: Stephen A’Court
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Sophie Saunders, 'Rhapsody II', 2024, oil on linen, 500 x 400 mm Photographic credit: Stephen A’Court 3.
Photo Credit
Sophie Saunders, 'Heart-work I', 2024, oil on linen, 600 x 500 mm Photographic credit: Stephen A’Court
Photo Credit
Artist statement:
A few years ago, Jenny & Penney at Bowen asked me to give them a few of my simple ‘little garden sketches’ for a post Covid group show called a nod to nature.
I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed making these very straightforward gestural works; and it reminded me that when I was in my early twenties at art school, my work had been very free, gutsy, textural and energetic. I frequently went out into the landscape to make loose, abbreviated sketches in charcoal and ink which then triggered off completely abstract paintings back in the studio.
However, following that time my practice naturally evolved to become quite minimalist and hard edged for a very long time- in fact from about 1991until recently. I put myself under a sort of discipline where colour, light and shape were utilized in the service of my deep interest in conveying a sense of the spiritual; in fact, to make paintings as contemplative objects.
Recently I’ve been moved to allow a re-emergence in the painting of my intrinsic gestural and painterly nature, whilst maintaining my lifelong intent- to be honest and at one with the process to the extent to which I am able.
Now I have the courage to make the paintings I have always wanted to make.
Sophie Saunders, May 2024
Artist statement:
A few years ago, Jenny & Penney at Bowen asked me to give them a few of my simple ‘little garden sketches’ for a post Covid group show called a nod to nature.
I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed making these very straightforward gestural works; and it reminded me that when I was in my early twenties at art school, my work had been very free, gutsy, textural and energetic. I frequently went out into the landscape to make loose, abbreviated sketches in charcoal and ink which then triggered off completely abstract paintings back in the studio.
However, following that time my practice naturally evolved to become quite minimalist and hard edged for a very long time- in fact from about 1991until recently. I put myself under a sort of discipline where colour, light and shape were utilized in the service of my deep interest in conveying a sense of the spiritual; in fact, to make paintings as contemplative objects.
Recently I’ve been moved to allow a re-emergence in the painting of my intrinsic gestural and painterly nature, whilst maintaining my lifelong intent- to be honest and at one with the process to the extent to which I am able.
Now I have the courage to make the paintings I have always wanted to make.
Sophie Saunders, May 2024
