Cathryn Sofarnos was born in Hobart, Tasmania in 1962 where she enjoyed a free range childhood roaming the untamed wilderness of her Tasmanian backyard. Set amongst the tall dark trees of the Dandenong Ranges forest, east of Melbourne, Australia, she works from her home studio where all sense of time, place and self, cease to exist. She has enjoyed being an artist for her entire life and has actively explored the abstract realm through sewing, bag making, quilting, felting, patchwork, textile art and painting.
Since when do you paint and what are your favourite motives?
I am a self taught multi-disciplinary abstract artist based in Melbourne, Australia and I began delving into the world of abstract painting about 8 years ago. The inherent mystery of abstraction offers me a liberation through the absence of definitive answers. It invites a journey of exploration and discovery that goes beyond the constraints of traditional thinking. A kaleidoscope of rich and luscious color and an intense fascination with pattern and line is the driving force behind my work, and I love the freedom that comes with working on a large scale.
When you create a new work, how do you proceed? What comes first?
The color palette is always my first decision when beginning a new piece, as it sets the mood and emotion of the painting. I spend significant time experimenting with various color choices and material combinations, before committing to a large-scale canvas. The color palette guides the initial direction of the painting, while the narrative or story emerges as the work progresses. However, when creating a series of paintings, I establish an overall concept or narrative first, which then informs my choice of colors.
From what do you get your motivation?
My primary inspiration stems from color, line, and pattern, which I find in nearly everything around me. I am motivated by a profound fascination with the mysterious link between the inner and outer worlds and a deep interest in dimensional ontology. The fluidity and ambiguity of abstraction enables me to explore the layers of perception and how they shape our understanding of reality. This interplay between abstract form and the dimensional qualities of color, line, and pattern serves as a portal into the deeper layers of the human mind and spirit, inviting contemplation of the very fabric of reality and our place within it.
Your life without art would be...
At its core, creativity is a journey of self-discovery. Creating something from nothing can reveal aspects of human identity and offer insights into our own nature. A painting, in particular, has the power to bring a unique sense of peace and harmony to both the individual and the collective, potentially connecting us to a higher sense of being. Fine art in all its forms, serves as the most reliable and enduring record of the human experience. Amid the rise of fake news and the exaggerations on social media, fine art stands as a true reflection of our times and the environments we inhabit. It provides a profound and insightful perspective on the human experience, both individually and collectively. Life without art would create a profound void that nothing else could fill.
What is the best art place in your city at the moment?
Melbourne is a vibrant hub for fine art, with a diverse array of institutions, museums, and galleries that showcase everything from large-scale sculptures and installations to street art, city light shows, dance theaters, and live music. The Melbourne Fringe Festival is an annual independent arts event that aims to spotlight alternative arts in the city. The National Gallery of Victoria hosts exhibitions from artists living and passed from all around the world. As I write this, the Affordable Art Fair is currently being held in Melbourne. Additionally, numerous galleries offer free public openings every day. On a personal note, I am involved with a nonprofit gallery run by artists, which hosts exhibitions every few weeks, connecting me with a fantastic community of artists and providing a platform to share ideas, stories, and network.
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