About the Artist
ARTIST BIO
Sofya Mirvis creates surreal mixed media pieces with a unique blend of painting and collage. There is a dream-like, surreal, and expressive quality in her compositions.
Sofya’s multi-layered works are rooted in her fascination with the human drive to connect to nature, exploring the ways in which our chosen environment influences psychological states and cultural narratives. Merged media layers create subtle connections that speak to one another within each collection.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, Sofya holds an MFA from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a BFA from Tyler School of Art and Architecture, studying in Philadelphia and Rome. Her works have been showcased and collected nationally and internationally, and can be found in numerous private collections.
Other than being a lifelong artist, Sofya is an educator, leader, and mentor. She believes that people from all walks of life can harness their creativity to heal, grow and thrive. Sofya resides in Philadelphia, PA, with her husband and two rescue pit-bulls.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am forever fascinated by the connections forged between humans and nature. By studying the patterns found in the natural landscape, I connect to my immediate surroundings, childhood memories, and visions of the future. This translates into layered works that explore the elements of landscape through the lens of personal experience, identity and hardship.
As a child, I was drawn to the world of nature from an early age. As I migrated and traveled, I keenly observed the ways in which different individuals and cultures orient themselves within the natural world. I see my mixed media pieces as mementos in this journey through time, emotion, and expression. In this evolving history, we observe and experience our surroundings, connect with the healing power of nature and navigate unforeseen changes in our environment.
My artistic path has led me to develop a unique blend of painting, collage, and mixed media. I seamlessly merge acrylic, oil, dry media, collage, and gouache into layered paintings and works on paper. This technique lends itself to oscillate between loose and refined elements of surrealism, representation, and abstraction.
Photo by Gregory Simkiss, 2012