SOFIA MINSON

Sofia is a New Zealand artist who has a flair for celebrating the spirit of people, culture and nature through painting.  Born in Auckland in 1984, Sofia spent much of her childhood in Samoa and Sri Lanka and developed a strong appreciation for richly diverse cultures. On returning to New Zealand her artistic enthusiasm flourished and she desired to understand and love her homeland as she had other parts of the world.

Her bold yet finely detailed oil paintings are inspired by her deep respect for the land and mythology of Aotearoa (New Zealand). By exploring the ancient people and legends from a contemporary perspective, Sofia

discovers and strengthens an important connection to her own Maori heritage. In the past five years Sofia has exhibited in Europe, Turkey, the USA and extensively throughout New Zealand. She has won two national art awards, graduated with an Art and Design degree and raised over $20,000 for national charities due to her artwork donations and recent head shave for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. The artist now enjoys painting full-time in her Glen Innes studio in Auckland.

Education:

Bachelor of Art and Design degree from Auckland University of Technology

Previous Exhibitions:

2009 - Kings College Art Sale, Auckland, NZ.2009 - Solo exhibition at McCarthy Gallery, Auckland, NZ.2009 - Atamira | Maori in the City, creative expo at Auckland Showgrounds, NZ.2009 - Winter group show at Toi o Tahuna Gallery, Queenstown, NZ.2009 - Baradene College Art Show, Auckland, NZ.2009 - "LIFE Exhibition" group fundraising show for Leukaemia, Auckland, NZ.2009 - "Shave An Artist" charity art auction & artist head shaving event, Auckland, NZ.2008 - (&Jan 09) Solo exhibition at the Gallery Helena Bay Hill, Northland, NZ.2008 - Solo exhibition at Toi o Tahuna Gallery, Queenstown, NZ.2008 - Solo exhibition at Erenus Art Gallery, Ankara, TURKEY.2008 - Sofia Minson solo exhibition at the Gallery Helena Bay Hill, Northland, NZ.2008 - Adam Portraiture Award Exhibition, NZ Portrait Gallery, Wellington, NZ.2008 - International group exhibition "Instants", The Dolmabahoe Palace Museum Art Gallery, Istanbul, TURKEY.

2007 - Christmas group show at the Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ.2007 - "Whence We Came" fundraising group show for Kidney Kids, opened by Jonah Lomu. Ashton Grove, Auckland, NZ.2007 - "Te Here Tangata - The Rope of Mankind". Sofia Minson's first solo exhibition at Aveia Gallery in Auckland, NZ. The show featured works inspired by the artist's Maori (Ngati Porou), Swedish and Irish ancestry and the land and myths of Aotearoa.2007 - Exhibition of Aaron Kereopa & Sofia's work at Toi o Tahuna Gallery, Queenstown, NZ.2007 - "Out From Down Under & Beyond, The Australian and New Zealand Art Exhibition", Agora Gallery, New York, USA.2007 - "Meridian Energy Plunket Art Show 2007", Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru, NZ.2007 - "Mid Summer Night's Dream", fundraising group art exhibition / silent auction, Tara Poolman Gallery, Matakana, NZ.2007 - "Adore - Cherishing the Feminine", group show, Haven Art, Waipu, NZ.2007 - "Northern Light", group show, Haven Art, Waipu, NZ.2006 - Sofia was invited to include her works in the internationally significant exhibition "Magic - The Magic Paths of Art". The event was held at the great Estense Castle in Ferrara, ITALY.2006 - Mazda Artworks, The Hilton Auckland, NZ.2006 - "Artshowcase", featured artist, Auckland East Arts Council, Grace Joel, NZ.2006 - True Colours Charitable Trust Art Auction, NZ2005 - Sunny Valley Art, Design and Sculpture, Auckland, NZ.2005 - 1st Prize, Auckland East Arts Council Art Competition, NZ.2005 - Auckland East Arts Council Art Exhibition, NZ. 2005 - 1st Prize, Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards, NZ.2005 - The New Zealand Boat Show, Auckland Showground’s, NZ.2005 - Saint Kentigern School Parents and Friends Fundraising Event,

Auckland, NZ.2005 - Different Places Different Faces, Lake House Gallery, Akl, NZ.2005 - Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards, Whakatane, NZ.2004 - Merit Award, Auckland East Arts Council Art Competition, NZ. 2004 - Sunny Valley Art, Design and Sculpture, Auckland, NZ.2004 - NZ Runway, Fashion Week, Auckland viaduct, NZ.2004 - Grace Joel Exhibition, Auckland, NZ.2004 - Ronald McDonald House Charity Silent Auction, NZ.2004 - Women's Show, Auckland Showground’s, NZ.2004 - Auckland East Arts Council Art Exhibition, NZ.