Sophie Saunders

MFA (Painting) 

Born in NZ to Luxembourgish/NZ parents, I was always encouraged to be true to myself. I decided to be a painter early on and really went for it, having nine solo shows within six years of leaving art school.  At the age of 30 I went through a period of aversion to the art world. Feeling the need to withdraw for a while, I went to Japan for two years. On my return, I felt the need for a quieter, more reflective art practice more in line with the spiritual work I was engaged in (and still am). A wish to be part of something bigger than my own artistic concerns lead to several years lecturing in Fine Arts and Design at Massey. I left there to come to TLC because I felt the philosophy was more wholesome.

For me, art needs to be a tool for opening up and is part of the process of clearing unwanted baggage out of one’s life so that one can live authentically and ultimately fulfil one’s potential. I firmly believe in this possibility. When we apply ourselves to something with honesty and integrity we start to truly be what we already are.