Sophie Harriet O’Grady was born in 1984 to Sally and Andrew O’Grady, in Kaitaia, New Zealand. She currently resides with her family in the Bay Of Islands after decades of sailing the pacific and residencies in coastal towns around New Zealand, favouring the wild west coast.

Sophie received a Bachelor Of Fine Arts and Diploma Of Ceramic Art at Dunedin Polytechnic School Of Art in 2005.

She has exhibited ceramic work, paintings, drawing and jewellery in numerous group exhibitions throughout New Zealand and worked as a makeup artist for contemporary dance companies, fashion editorials and shows.

Sophie is known for her flowing line work and fine detail. Her art explores physical and psychological immersion with environment and divinity.

Using predominantly black pen or 6B pencil on paper, but also occasionally oil paint and pastel, Sophie produces drawings characterised by sweeping gradients, dramatic contrast, burnished surfaces, intricately detailed areas, and curved lines and forms,.

Sophie maintains her practice with a desire to witness and interpret unique existential qualities, to make and discover meaning, and to allow herself through the process of creation and flow the opportunity to reflect deeply and to admire the essence of possibility and it’s ever expanding proximity.

Reoccurring themes and motifs in Sophie’s work include physical and psychological weather, wellness, wildness, suspension, balance, danger, freedom, movement, transformation, expansion, extension, irregularity, intimacy, power, peace, vitality, abundance, the perfection of imperfection, and the Ever Present.