Sofia Clarke is a multidisciplinary, mixed-medium artist currently based in Meanjin/Brisbane. Her practice explores deep inner worlds that reimagine existence, infusing works with elements of dreams and mysticism. Exploring philosophical ideologies with a particular interest in existentialism, absurdism, metaphysics and aesthetics, Sofia's work is a conduit for how she experiences the world, endeavouring to challenge her personal beliefs, existing social structures, and highlight the complexities of the human condition.
Her lifelong infatuation with fantasy genre media and symbolism/semiotics informs her practice, often infusing symbols into her work that hold rich historical, spiritual, cultural or social meaning; symbols serving not only for the elucidation of the artist's intended message, but also for viewers to discover and engage with subtext (a skill she is passionate to sustain - to challenge the current decline in intellectualism and systems eradicating critical thinking, nuance and subtext).
She views fantasy as a necessary part of life and celebrates the phenomenon of dreams, having had experiences with lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis. The artist highlights the importance of introspection, diving within the psyche of dreams and imagination to challenge perceptions, emphasising her need for magic and whimsy to navigate personal life, connect to herself and transcend spiritually. She comments on the loss of whimsy and play in society: the erasure of childhood, space for children to play, and space for adults to connect to self and the other.
Sofia’s draw to esotericism and the uncanny in media launched her curiosity towards exploring dream-like aesthetics and ideology, exposing our innate draw to the fantastical and awe of other worldly themes; themes of which can evoke warmth and nostalgia, as well as fear and discomfort. Her work is inspired by surrealist films and dark fantasy, which contain narratives that are often spoken in the language of dreams: with nonsensical laws, loss of logic and surreal imagery grounded in familiarity, fear and subconscious desires. Energised by the idea of the uncanny and other-worldliness, Sofia hopes to imagine alternate worlds, fluxing between the ethereal fantastical beauty of utopias - to the dark, perverse filth of dystopias. She believes whimsical imaginings can reshape ideas for the future and expand our minds.
Sofia is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at QUT, working across sculpture, 2D/traditional media, digital media, installation, and creative literature. While her work is currently focused on the ideas of magic, dreams and world building, her practice generally explores themes of self, spirituality, mental health, cultural heritage, sexuality, subcultures and femininity. She is dedicated to an expansive and explorative practice - in both ideology and physical material practice.
Sofia Clarke is a multidisciplinary, mixed-medium artist currently based in Meanjin/Brisbane. Her practice explores deep inner worlds that reimagine existence, infusing works with elements of dreams and mysticism. Exploring philosophical ideologies with a particular interest in existentialism, absurdism, metaphysics and aesthetics, Sofia's work is a conduit for how she experiences the world, endeavouring to challenge her personal beliefs, existing social structures, and highlight the complexities of the human condition.
Her lifelong infatuation with fantasy genre media and symbolism/semiotics informs her practice, often infusing symbols into her work that hold rich historical, spiritual, cultural or social meaning; symbols serving not only for the elucidation of the artist's intended message, but also for viewers to discover and engage with subtext (a skill she is passionate to sustain - to challenge the current decline in intellectualism and systems eradicating critical thinking, nuance and subtext).
She views fantasy as a necessary part of life and celebrates the phenomenon of dreams, having had experiences with lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis. The artist highlights the importance of introspection, diving within the psyche of dreams and imagination to challenge perceptions, emphasising her need for magic and whimsy to navigate personal life, connect to herself and transcend spiritually. She comments on the loss of whimsy and play in society: the erasure of childhood, space for children to play, and space for adults to connect to self and the other.
Sofia’s draw to esotericism and the uncanny in media launched her curiosity towards exploring dream-like aesthetics and ideology, exposing our innate draw to the fantastical and awe of other worldly themes; themes of which can evoke warmth and nostalgia, as well as fear and discomfort. Her work is inspired by surrealist films and dark fantasy, which contain narratives that are often spoken in the language of dreams: with nonsensical laws, loss of logic and surreal imagery grounded in familiarity, fear and subconscious desires. Energised by the idea of the uncanny and other-worldliness, Sofia hopes to imagine alternate worlds, fluxing between the ethereal fantastical beauty of utopias - to the dark, perverse filth of dystopias. She believes whimsical imaginings can reshape ideas for the future and expand our minds.
Sofia is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at QUT, working across sculpture, 2D/traditional media, digital media, installation, and creative literature. While her work is currently focused on the ideas of magic, dreams and world building, her practice generally explores themes of self, spirituality, mental health, cultural heritage, sexuality, subcultures and femininity. She is dedicated to an expansive and explorative practice - in both ideology and physical material practice.
