SONIA BARTON
Sonia was born in Cornwall, and has moved many times particularly in childhood. These memories constantly resurface through the study of still life. Often explored through a muted colour palette, the juxtaposition of forms and shapes are emphasised with flattened perspective and a naïve distortion of objects to their most essential shapes. The objects are often 'moved’ around the canvas, leaving traces of their previous existence in the form of embossed and textured shapes, etched lines and patterns. There is a feeling of time, an ebb and flow, which develops in her work. A strong interest in abstraction of shapes, colours and spatial relationships are also evident.
Colours are initially applied with brushes, palette knives, rags and rollers, until more recognisable forms start to reveal themselves. Many layers of paint are added, areas are scraped back, lines and marks appear and disappear. A certain 'settling in' of the subject with the surface takes place. Interest in aged, worn and worked surfaces both from interiors and the coastal environment where she lives, are strong influences. The paintings reflect memories, thoughts and observations of everyday life which are interwoven through each painting.
Exhibitions
Winter exhibition, December 2020 - Padstow Gallery, Cornwall.
Summer and Autumn Shows 2020 - Fotheringham Gallery, Scotland.
Dorset Art Weeks 2020, Duo show with Vanessa Bowman, 19th June - 3rd July - Jerram Gallery.
Summer Show 13th - 27th June 2020 - Josie Eastwood Fine Art.
“Not the Glasgow Art Fair”, May 2020 - Fotheringham Gallery, Scotland.
Launch Exhibition, 14th November 2019 - Nadia Waterfield Fine Art, Alchemy Bruton.
The Christmas Exhibition, 23rd November - 7th December 2019 - Josie Eastwood Fine Art.
Christmas Show 30th November, 21st December 2019 - Jerram Gallery.
September Show, 27th September - 13th October 2019 - Josie Eastwood Fine Art.
Summer Exhibition 2019 - Jerram Gallery.
Spring Exhibition - ‘Colour’, 3rd May - 18th May 2019 - Josie Eastwood Fine Art.
Dorset Artweeks 2018 26th May - 10th June - Hincknowle Studio, Melplash, Dorset.
January 2017 and 2018, Small paintings exhibition - Morningside Gallery Edinburgh.
Dorset Artweeks 2016 - 28th May - 12th June - Hincknowle Studio, Melplash, Dorset.
Mixed Winter Exhibition, 2nd - 24th December 2016 - David Simon Contemporary, Bath.
Autumn show 2016 - Morningside Gallery Edinburgh.
Summer Exhibitions 2015 and 2016 - Ainscough Contemporary Art Dartmouth.
Sonia gained a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art at Staffordshire University, followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Fine Art Printmaking at Brighton University, gaining the highest grade of Honours. Sonia was also offered MA Fine Art places at Edinburgh and Central Schools of Art, London.