Sonja Benskin Mesher

Page updated 21/07/04

biography


I was born in Bournemouth in 1947, and lived there until 1993 when I moved here to Wales.

My childhood was challenging, and the most memorable period was time living near St Ives in Cornwall. I wished to study Art as a teenager, but was denied the chance.

Moving to Wales, I found the freedom to realise my ambition.

I studied Art & Design for 2 years, and then started working full time in Fine Art & Illustration.

My paintings are abstract, concerned with the land, my life, and the paint. I allow the paint to reflect its properties, and my emotions, to represent the images and ideas that surround me

The Cornish, and Welsh landscapes affect my work deeply, and is a constant source material.


Early design work received an award from BAA and the Sunday Times, and since then more prizes have been awarded for landscape painting, drawing, and abstract images.


The work has been in solo exhibitions through Wales and England, and in selected shows in the UK, USA, France and Canada. Much of the work is now in both private, and public collections, and has been featured in several television documentaries, radio programmes and magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Light. Blue Square

"Earth Light - Blue Square"

Cefin's Place

"Cefin's Place"

Moon. Blue-Square

"Moon. Blue-Square"

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2004 Wrexham Arts Centre
2004 Electric Mountain, Llanberis
2004 Oriel Hen Efail, Llanfrothen
2003 Oriel Parc Glynllifon, Caernarfon
2003 Manorhaus, Ruthin
2002-3 Artlink.Hull. Touring Exhibition
2002 Cardiff Central Library
2002 Oriel Cambria, Tregaron
2002-4 Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth
2002 Old Hall Gallery, Cowbridge
2002 Verdi's Restaurant, Mumbles
2001 The Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen
2001 Stages Gallery, Machynlleth
2001 Y Tabernacl, Museum of Modern Art, Wales
2001 Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare, touring Wales and Cornwall
2001 Aberystwyth Arts Centre
2000 Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff
2000 Pontardawe Arts Centre, Swansea
2000+3 Theatre Ardudwy, Harlech
2000 The White Room Gallery, Harlech

TWO PERSON SHOW
2003-4 Collaboration with Valerie Land touring Wales

GROUP EXHIBITIONS. SELECTED
Throughout UK, Canada, France, USA, and regularly in selected London Exhibitions

GALLERY OUTLETS
Blue Wing Gallery, Padstow Gaslight Gallery, Mougins, France
Oriel Yr Hen Efail. Llanfrothen DV8 Penzance, Cornwall (solo artist)
The White Room Gallery, Harlech Spectrum Gallery, Machynlleth.
Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw , Llanbedrog Touche Contemporary Art, Stoud

AWARDS/ PRIZES
2001,2002 Meirionydd Perpetual Cup for Art, Winner. Painting
2001 Talacre Landscape Competition. Purchase Prize. Painting
2000 The Arts Council of Wales. New Artist Grant
2000 North Wales Wildlife Trust. Prizewinner. Drawing
2000 Aberystwyth Arts Centre Prizewinner. Poetry
1999 Llanderfel Open Art Exhibition, Bala. Prize-winner
1998 British Airways. Finalist. Design Prize.

MEDIA COVERAGE
2003 Topical TV, Channel 4 2002+3 Sioe Y Gelf , S4C
2002 One Wales Magazine 2002 04 Wal , S4C 2001+2 Welsh Living Magazine 2000 High Performance. ITV

PUBLICATIONS
2002 'Certain Contemporary Printmakers in Wales' Johanna Ekornes

 

Hollow Hill

"Hollow Hill - Blue Square"

 

"I am Building"

 

Horizon

"Horizon - Blue Square"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Sonja Benskin Mesher please visit her web site at...

WEBSITE www.sonja-benskin-mesher.com

 

 

SONJA BENSKIN MESHER
Y Stiwdio. Tynllan.Llanelltyd .Dolgellau.Gwynedd LL40 2SU
Telephone & Fax +44 (0)
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