Cameroonian born, London based Violeta Sofia, is a visual artist and photographer, best known for her celebrity/fashion photography and political paintings. After moving to London from Spain, she decided to study Media at Thames Valley University and photography at East London University, before becoming a freelance photographer. Her work brings together aspects of Pop art with a combination of poignant messages and imagery.
Sofia creates controversial art that discuses social issues, which might leave some feeling rightfully uncomfortable, “I am creating inclusive warning signs in the attempt to sensitises and unite humanity.”
For the past decade, Sofia has created art and photography for companies such as Harvey Nichols and Top Shop and actors like Hugh Grant and Willem Dafoe amongst others. In 2018 a transformation year for women, Violeta was able to expand her painting practice as she exhibited her work at the Royal Academy of Arts, and her photographs continue to be published in magazines like Virtuogenix and Deadline Hollywood magazine.
Self-taught or art school?
I have had a mixture of traditional education and self-taught training. Growing up I initially learned art and photography from my dad, and I fell in love with photography as soon as I owned my first SLR camera at the age of 8. Consequently, this lead me to study A level Art and photography, before going to university. To my surprise, attending higher education did not improve my artistic skills or the quality of my work, self-training did. However university changed my analytical and conceptual thinking. In the second year of a photography degree, I decided to leave the course, due to the fact that my practical skills were not being challenged. Soon after I start working as a photographer.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
It would have to be a painting by a Spanish artist, I grew up in Spain so I studied Spanish art in-depth. I have always loved Picasso and my favourite painting by him is the black and white, protest painting titled Guernica. Even though my work is very colourful I admire art that is in contrast to what I do. I used to look at Picassos’ anti-war painting in books, but the first time I saw it in real life, as a teenager, was at the Tate Modern. I thought it was the most powerful art I have ever seen, so big, so full of passion and pain, nothing to do with the small picture in a book. This painting is the reason why I started going to museums more often.
How would you describe your style?
As African diaspora protest art, my art prompts questions regarding, identity, inequality, conflict and consumerism. I use pop art and bold text to create statements that might leave viewers feeling uncomfortable. My art is vibrant and rich in texture my medium is mixed media, mainly acrylics, textile and photography.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I start by creating a mood board, then I do some research, then I write a short essay about the project, which most of the time will be about a controversial subject. Then I go on to create a digital collage to guide me with composition, shade and colour. Once I have a reference image of what I am trying to create I am ready to start.
Using this process is how I feel more in control of my work, however, there are always accidents and pieces never come out as I plan. The intersectional point between planning and an accident is the point when I am the happiest, as the work starts to create itself.
Is narrative important within your work?
It is important for my art to have a narrative and a polemic message that express an alternative option, through challenging stereotypes and social constructs.
The narrative viewpoint in my art is in the first and third person, these viewpoints represent the voices of the under-represented.
Who are your favourite artist and why?
I grew up learning about male painters like Picasso, Dali, Warhol etc. I guess you can say that my work is influenced by my 20th century western education. As a young adult I became more self-aware of who I wanted to be influenced by I started paying more attention to a female artist like Barbara Kruger, and Guerrilla Girls, I particularly like the use of “in your face” messages in their art.
It is very important for me to learn and follow artists that are female, black and/or political, as I would not have access to them unless I research.
In the last couple of years, I became aware of and admired painter Titus Kaphar as his work confronts the history of classical visual representation to include the African-American subject. South African photographer and activist Zanele Muholi photography on race and gender identity, with whom I feel honoured to be currently exhibiting at the Summer exhibition 2020.
What or who inspires your art?
My students, Subsaharan Africa, popular cultures, documentaries, discrimination, newspapers, social media, conflict, war, prejudgement, consumerism, feminism, racism.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My studio is in Kensal Rise, London, and it is full of recycled items that I “might” use in future projects.
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” Cesar Cruz.
I like painting quotes on the wall, messages help me remember what I am there to create. I also have notes and post-its everywhere and a to-do lists on a whiteboard.
What are you working on currently?
A series of placards inspired by the black live matters movement. The messages on the placards challenge the idea of using affirmations to feel better about one’s self.
Where can we buy your art?
The best way to buy my art is by contacting me directly for original work and/or prints.
In addition, I am currently selling ‘From Cameroun to London’ exclusively at the Royal Academy of Arts for the Summer Exhibition Show follow the link below to find out more information: https://se.royalacademy.org.uk/2020/artworks/violeta-sofia/193
email: violetasofia@ymail.com Website.www.violetasofia.com Instagram @violetasofia
