ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Known mainly for her still-life painting, Sophie Dunlop is inspired by the humble props that adorn her studio, gathered from a local market or from her travels abroad. Sophie relishes the unique and intricate details of each object she portrays. Her meticulous style is countered with a curious eye and unconventional composition, to provide the viewer with a fresh yet thoughtful vision of the familiar. Echoing the evocative design of oriental rugs and embroidery, Sophie imbues her subject matter with a quality that goes beyond the surface. She uses intensified colour and perception so that the viewer transcends the surface of the canvas to taste and smell the succulent flesh of the fruit she paints or to feel the luxurious texture of the exotic fabrics.

BIOGRAPHY

Sophie Dunlop (Master of Fine Arts) was born in Sydney, she comes from a family of artists, her father being the late Brian Dunlop. Throughout her childhood, she travelled extensively and learned from her father and his peers.

Sophie grew up and studied in Sydney and in 2003 she moved to South Australia where she now lives. She works full-time as an artist and teacher and has a studio on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

EDUCATION

Sophie studied throughout her life with her father, Brian Dunlop until his death in 2009. She also studied in the studio of Francis Giacco and also at the Julian Ashton Art School.

Dunlop has travelled in Europe, studying at the Lorenzo de Medici Art School, Florence.

She gained a Bachelor and Masters of Fine Art from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW.

Sophie was a lecturer, part-time, Adelaide Central School of Art, Flinders University. She now runs her own art classes in Adelaide and on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2018 Art Atrium, Sydney, Sense of Place
2016-17 Australian High Commission, Singapore
2016 Gallery 1855, City of Tea Tree Gully, Natura Viva
2016 Art Atrium, Sydney
2016 Hugo Winery, McLaren Vale, (SALA), Temptation
2016 Australian World Orchestra at the Esplanade Theatre, SIngapore, showcased by the Australian High Commission
2012 Catherine Asquith Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney
2009 Catherine Asquith Gallery, Melbourne
2008 Greenhill Galleries, Adelaide
2007 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney
2007 Harvest Market Exhibition, Hill Smith Gallery Yalumba Winery
2006 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney
2004 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney
2003 Axia Modern Art, Melbourne
2002 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney
2000 Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2017 Studio of Brian Dunlop, Australian Galleries, Sydney 
2016 Australian Watercolour Institute Exhibition, Juniper Hall, Sydney
2014 Across the Water: China-Australia Modern Masters of Watercolour, exhibition of the Australian Watercolour Institute held in China and subsequently at Juniper Hall, Paddington in February 2015
2010 Slow Burn, A Century of Australian Women Artists from a Private Collection, S H Ervin Gallery, Sydney
2011 Christmas Exhibition, Catherine Asquith Gallery
2011 The Ashton’s Exhibition, Eva Breuer Art Dealer
2007 Group exhibition, Central Studios, ACSA Gallery
2004 Group exhibition, Central Studios, ACSA Gallery
2004 Christmas Exhibition, Hill Smith Gallery

MEMBER

Australian Watercolour Institute, 2007 onwards

RESIDENCIES & INTERNSHIP

2018 The Art Vault, Mildura
2015 Wilderness School, Adelaide, artist in residence
2005 Student internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

AWARDS

2017 & 2018 Tattersals Prize, finalist, Brisbane
2016 Wynne Prize, finalist, Art Gallery of NSW
2016 Kilgour Prize, finalist, Newcastle Regional Gallery
2014 Paddington Art Prize, finalist
2013 Lloyd Rees Art Prize, Hobart, finalist
2011 Harper’s Mansion National Trust Still Life Award, finalist
2007 Fleurieu Art Prize, Food and Wine section, finalist
2000 Mosman Art Prize, finalist
1996 Redlands Westpac Art Prize, finalist
1996 Salon des Refuses, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Archibald Section
1995 Portia Geach Prize, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
1995 Salon des Refuses, S. H. Ervin, Sydney, Wynne section

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Advertiser, The Review, Market Forces, Louise Nunn April 7 2006
Sydney Morning Herald, Nicked or not, it’s the fruit of freedom, Daphne Guinness February 2, 2006
Adelaide Matters, Lively Mix, Catherine Clifton August 2006
Australian Artist, You don’t have to be afraid of green! Sophie Dunlop November, 2006
Weekend Financial Review, Still life with Ancestry, Chris Boyd December 6-7, 2003
The Herald Sun, Art no PC can Match, Jeff Makin December 15, 2002
The Daily Telegraph, Bloodlines, Elizabeth Fortescue October 28, 2000
The Sydney Morning Herald, Down at the fruit stand, it’s a case of sibling rivalry, Daphne Guinness July 19, 2000