Roughing out a piece of marble

 

Sonya Moran was born in London in 1963, and consequently surrounded by exceptional and influential art.   Later schooled just outside London, many childhood visits were made to the Tate and National London Art Gallery.  Generous guidance and encouragement from a broadminded art teacher, nourished a creative mind.

Painting was her preferred medium up until 1986.  A trip to Australia marked a turning point in her career as an artist when she established herself as an apprentice, and later lifelong friend, of Foot Young, an unusually gifted sculptor.   Foot introduced her to marble carving,  but Sonya soon established her own style, with a preference for exploring  sculpture of the human form. 

Despite a modest frame,  Sonya became very adept at using the power tools required to hew large blocks of marble into shape.  With the help of pneumatic chisels projects on stone blocks up to two tonnes were taken on.   Anyone who has tackled carving stone knows that this takes a definite passion, a fair bit of stamina, vision, lots of patience,  and a determined will.

Sonya is convinced that self reflection is a vital element in the creative process.  Something she calls 'visual spaciousness' , is also vital to creative development.  This can be interpreted as the capacity to visualize a potential form clearly in the mind, all the while remaining open to the myriad of possible permutations of that vision.    She also feels that a fascination for mythology was instrumental to her creative expression.

In place of an artist statement, the following reflections are expressed:

Current sculptural form...moves towards revealing the essence of represented form,
Using simple effortless lines,
Offering flow and ease.

As society gets more complex.....contemporary art moves towards minimalistic grace.

The curved uncontained lines found in Nature preferred to the straight linear lines noticeable in the man made world.

Sculpted stone, a symbolic frozen 3D moment,
Possesses a longevity that can out last a living human culture,
And offer remnants of art and information to historians on life and thought in that era.

Marble is after all,  compressed limestone beds, comprised of once living things,
The bones of wild life...oceans...nature...and man himself.

Sonya has appeared as a guest lecturer at a variety of different TAFE and Adult Education courses around Australia.
She offers group and private tuition available on request.

Sonya's Studio:  Works available to be seen at Sonya's studio by appointment, at

190 Goldcreek Road
North Arm QLD 4561
Australia
Phone  0417 612 978
Email: sonyamoranart@yahoo.com.au

Sonya at the marble fields Chillagoe, Queensland