About the Artist
ARTIST BIO
Sofya Mirvis creates surreal mixed media pieces with a unique blend of painting and collage. There is often a dream-like, ethereal quality in her compositions.
Sofya’s multi-layered works are rooted in her fascination with nature and its influence on the human psyche, changes in our collective environment and society at large. Carefully placed mixed media layers create subtle narratives that speak to one another within each collection.
Originally from Moscow. Russia, Sofya studied at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia and Rome. Her works can be found in numerous collections, both private and public.
Apart from being a lifelong artist, Sofya is an educator, mentor, and nonprofit leader. She believes that people from all walks of life can harness their creativity to heal, grow and thrive. Sofya resides in West Philadelphia with her husband and rescue pit-bulls Louie and Ella.
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 these connections through the lens of my own identity.
As a child in Russia, I was drawn to the world of nature from an early age. As I migrated and traveled, I was able to observe the ways in which different cultures interact with the natural world. I see my mixed media pieces as mementos in this journey through time and belonging. In this evolving history, we observe and experience our surroundings, connect with the healing power of nature and anticipate changes in our collective environment.
My artistic path has led me to develop a unique blend of painting, collage, and mixed media. I use acrylic, oil, and gouache to seamlessly merge collage imagery into layered paintings and works on paper. This technique lends itself to oscillate between loose and refined elements of surrealism, painterly expression, abstraction and illustration.
Photo by Gregory Simkiss