ABOUT Sonja
Motivated by colour
“Above all, colour, and the urge to create something aesthetically pleasing, is what motivates me to paint and experiment in the studio. With the use of bold colours, simple shapes, lines and “deliberate imperfection-making”, I intentionally focus on the expression of joy, simplicity and aliveness. For the viewer, I want my work to feel welcoming, fun and engaging, and most of all I want colour, texture and shape to awaken something in them, to spark their curiosity and imagination, and perhaps even invite to self-reflection.”
Sonja Dahlgren (b 1973) is a contemporary abstract painter based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Why i paint
My work is primarily about my love for colour. Colour, and the urge to create something aesthetically pleasing, is what motivates me to paint and experiment in the studio. I am currently exploring a reductionist colour-field approach to painting, hence my work is also about the pursuit of finding a balance between bold expression and minimalist simplicity, between playfulness and sophistication. With the use of bold colours, simple shapes, lines and “deliberate imperfection-making”, I intentionally focus on the expression of joy, simplicity and aliveness. For the viewer, I want my work to feel welcoming, fun and engaging, and most of all I want colour, texture and shape to awaken something in them, to spark their curiosity and imagination, and perhaps even invite to self-reflection.
On a deeper level, my work is about acceptance, about being able to love the “raw”, the [seemingly] unfinished, and the flaws. Perfect doesn’t exist, and “perfect” isn’t even desirable. Beauty lies in the small flaws, in uniqueness, and in a sense of aliveness. It’s the flaws, the quirks and the aliveness that make both humans and paintings interesting, perhaps even beautiful. Perfectly imperfect.
The creative process
My preferred mediums are acrylic paint and collage, but I occasionally also use oil pastels, wax pencils, oil and oil sticks. I love working with paper, especially in collage, and it has become an important part of my practice. Collage is where I explore colour, shapes and composition. Another thing I love about paper is the immediacy, and how it contributes to give the feel of fragility and impermanence - a theme that, along with the reductionist approach, I am currently exploring in my work.
My approach to painting, and my colour and design choices, are equal parts deliberate and equal parts intuitive. But, naturally, all of my choices and moves are fueled by my lived experience, memories, important people around me and everyday events and emotions. I find most of my visual references and inspiration in the little things I surround myself with, such as; flowers in the garden and in the wild, art history, music, fashion and colour combinations that I notice in ordinary things, like a product design or in a successfully styled outfit.
More about me
While creativity, design, photography and art have always been important parts of my life (I worked as a food photographer and stylist between 2009-2019), they have come back into focus during the last two years when I focused a lot of my time, energy and passion on exploring my artistic voice through painting. As a painter I am mainly autodidact, but I do have several university courses in graphic design, photography and visual communication, as well as an art course via St Ives School of Painting on my CV.
I also have a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and and a Masters Degree in Psychology. My previous work experience includes ten years as an early years teacher in both Sweden and China, ten years as a photographer & food stylist and three years as a couple’s therapist.