December 18, 2023 – January 31, 2024
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library
18601 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91351
Santa Clarita Arts is thrilled to unveil our upcoming exhibition at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, “Inside, a Shape,” featuring the artwork of interdisciplinary artist Sophia Wolfe. The exhibition will be on view from December 18, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
The exhibition receives its title from the featured artwork, which is a large panel piece composed of eight canvases in varying sizes. This work invites viewers into a world where the boundaries between reality, dreams, and nature blur, challenging our perceptions of the world and our place within it.
Sophia Wolfe, a Southern California-based artist known for her work in illustration, painting, textiles, experimental video, and narrative film, invites us to explore her experience as a young woman navigating the intricate tapestry of existence. Her art resonates with the interplay of science and dreams, solitude and intimacy. From an early age, Wolfe has been captivated by the realm of dreams, meticulously documenting her own dreamscapes. Her artistic journey delves into the inner psyche, seeking to decipher the psychology and neurology that underlie these enigmatic experiences. Through visual distortion and depictions of nature, the artwork invites viewers to contemplate the dual experience of observing the world and being observed.
How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged after the show ends on January 31, 2024.
Sophia Wolfe | sophiawolfestudio@gmail.com | www.sophiawolfestudio.com | @sophiawolfestudio
For more information about upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please contact Stephanie Jacinto at sjacinto@santa-clarita.com.
Q&A with Sophia Wolfe
Sophia, thank you for exhibiting your artwork with us at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library. Tell us, what themes do you pursue in your art?
Sophia: My art showcases my experience navigating reality as a young woman, discovering connections between science and dreams, solitude and intimacy.
How do you come up with ideas for new pieces with those themes in mind?
Sophia: I spend a lot of time outside, admiring our world. Nature has many lessons to teach us. Non-fiction books are an another great source for inspiration. Some of my favorites are Art and Physics by Leonard Shlain, Einstein, Picasso by Arthur Miller, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, and The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs.
Yes, I can see that inspiration coming through in your paintings. Can you tell us a little bit about the texture in your paintings?
Sophia: I am incredibly excited about the textures and colors achieved within my piece, Inside, a Shape. I used a meticulous layering technique, applying dozens of translucent passes of colors atop one another to achieve the optical illusion of a single color. These translucent layers are incredibly thick, building up to create a tactile and visually engaging texture. Objects closer to the viewer have thicker applications of this technique.
What would you say is the purpose or goal of your work?
Sophia: I find learning about our world to be incredibly fun and satisfying. My artwork serves as a way for me to question and experiment. In Inside, a Shape, I explore what it means to see and how it feels to be looked at. For this piece, I focused on exploring the qualities of light, color, and optical distortions.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received as an artist?
Sophia: Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while – Sister Corita Kent
