Sophia Heeres, born in 1981, graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in 2006 from the Minerva Academy in Groningen. She is currently living and working in Amstelveen.

Heeres experimented with various styles and mediums during her studies, but colour and shape always dominated as the most important elements when considering composition. On Heeres’ canvas, everyday subjects are rendered with boisterous, vibrant hues to bring them to life. The vivacity of her palette is achieved by applying paint directly from the tube to the canvas. She contrasts this visceral use of colour with simple, asymmetrical shapes to lead the eye into the painting.

Heeres is drawn to typically Dutch cityscapes and landscapes, but also paints nature and people. In her latest works, Heeres’ subjects are pared down to their simplest forms and flattened with smooth planes of colour and thick black outlines. Her work continues to explore the interplay between shape, colour and lack of depth; all of which combine in a strong emotional resonance on the canvas. Heeres’ fresh and distinctive style offers an insight into her very eccentric and particular worldview.

Last year Heeres was ranked in the top 100 Contemporary Artists of the Netherlands. Preceding that, Heeres has contributed her work to several art books and publications. Her paintings can be seen in various galleries and exhibitions throughout the Netherlands. Her next exhibition in October can be seen in Denmark.