Born / geboren in Brașov, Romania, lives and works / lebt und arbeitet in Berlin
Sonja Arz studied painting and graphic arts at the Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts (HGB) and at the Düsseldorf Art Academy where she was honoured as a master student.
Work scholarships, exhibitions and work stays have repeatedly taken her abroad, including to Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal, Israel, Romania and Bulgaria.
Sonja Arz studierte Malerei und Grafik an der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB) Leipzig und an der Kunstakademie Düsseldorf wo sie die Auszeichnung zur Meisterschülerin erhielt.
Arbeitsstipendien, Ausstellungen und Arbeitsaufenthalte führten sie wiederholt ins Ausland, u.a. in die Schweiz, Frankreich, Italien, Portugal, Israel, Rumänien und nach Bulgarien.
2001 Academy of Fine Arts, HGB Leipzig
2002 Grant, Heinrich Böll Foundation
2004 Grant, Hedwig & Robert Samuel Foundation, Düsseldorf
2005 Diploma, Art Academy Düsseldorf
2006 Master Student, Art Academy Düsseldorf
2009 Work Stay, Portugal
2016 Artist Residency, Alpineum, Lucerne, CH
2017 Foundation Studio 19
2018 Artist Residency, ARV.I, Vishovgrad, BG
2020 Work Stay, Aubeterre, France and Castelleale, Italy
Selected Exhibitions
2024 Erregung öffentlicher Freude, Hilbert Raum, Berlin
2023 Dialoge 2023, Pavillon am Milchhof, Berlin
2023 Verwalterhaus St. Marien / St. Nicolai, Berlin
2022 Zu Ende bringen, Studio 19, Berlin
2022 Baam, Monopol, Berlin
2022 Noymn, Berlin Artists Against War, Berlin
2021 Bodyforms, Studio 19, Berlin
2021 Somekind of birthday, Studio 19, Berlin
2019 Finaleminimale, Galerie Alpineum, Luzern, CH
2019 AR29-2, Zuzanna Skiba Fine Art, Berlin
2019 Lecker, Atelierhof Kreuzberg, Berlin
2018 Where is Philadelphia?, curated by Maik Schierloh, Gutshaus Philadelphia, D
2018 AR29, Zuzanna Skiba Fine Art, Berlin
2018 First forms of life, ARV.I, Vishovgrad, BG (Solo)
2017 Dirty Nails, Studio 19, Berlin
2016 Light, Galerie Alpineum, Lucerne, CH
2015 Früher oder Später, Hilbertraum, Berlin
2014 Wonderfuel Zeremoney, Gelbes Haus, Lucerne, CH
2013 Sommersalon, Galerie Kristine Hamann, Wismar, D
2012 Manuela Wossowski und Freunde, Galerie Klinkhammer, Düsseldorf, D
2011 Summen Spüren, SK140, Berlin
2011 After The Shot, Späti International, Berlin
2011 Fremdgang International, ODG - Salon fürzeitgenössische Kunst, Düsseldorf, D
2010 Sonderschicht, Kunstverein Oberhausen, D
2010 Highest Expectations, Forgotten Bar, Galerie im Regierungsviertel, Berlin
2010 Arz and Friendz, Forgotten Bar, Galerie im Regierungsviertel, Berlin
2008 1001 Bilder, Kunststiftung Villa de Bank, Enschede, NL
2008 Kombination, Raum Citadellstrasse 27,Düsseldorf, D
2007 Bye, bye, Acapulco, Galerie Acapulco, Düsseldorf, D
2006 Acht, Walzwerkstrasse, Düsseldorf, D
2006 Dwadoi, Galerie Sammler, Leipzig, D
2006 Bang Gang, Galerie Sammler, Leipzig, D
2006 Düsseldorf im Juni, Krinzinger Projekte, Wien, A
2005 Attitude, Inner State and Posture, Galerie Sammler, Leipzig (solo), D
2005 Unrein, Galerie Sammler, Leipzig, D
2005 I keep my good eye open, Atelier 169, Cluj Napoca, RO
2004 Traum-haft, Galerie Fiebach und Minninger, Köln, D
2004 This Time Painting!, Herzliya Museum of ContemporaryArt, IL
2004 Neue Düsseldorfer Malerschule, Museum Haus Lange, Krefeld, D
2001 Raum mit schwarzem Balken, Academy of Fine Arts, Leipzig, D
2001 Häuser und Kähne, Johannisplatz, Leipzig, D
2000 Flesh, Hansa Haus, Minden, D
Teaching
Art in the public space, mural paintings, Haus der Jugend Monheim, 2004
Experimental painting in public space, AKKI Düsseldorf, 2004
Art educational workshops, BKK Düsseldorf, 2006 – 2007
Drawing workshops and portfolio preparation courses, Walzwerkstrasse Düsseldorf, 2006 – 2008
Experimental painting in public space, AKKI Düsseldorf, 2009
Portraitdrawing, Kunstbastion, Zitadelle Spandau, 2014
Cooperation with Er(Be)Leben,„The city of solidarity“, Berlin, 2022
Text
Colorful landscapes, the human body and architectural forms
Sonja Arz is a contemporary artist whose work blurs the boundaries between figurative and abstract painting. Sonja Arz work is characterized by vibrant colors, gestural brushwork, and a fascination with the female body, landscape and architectural structures. Her art practice also extends beyond the canvas, as she creates large-scale installations that immerse viewers in her world of color and form.
Sonja Arz paintings are equally evocative, with bold brushstrokes and saturated colors that suggest energy and movement. Her partially figurative works are often accompanied by abstract shapes and patterns, creating a sense of tension between representation and abstraction.
For Sonja Arz, art is a way of exploring the boundaries of what is possible. Her work challenges the viewer to see the world in a new way, to question assumptions and embrace the unknown. Whether through painting or installation, Sonja Arz art is a testament to the power of color and the human form to communicate emotion and inspire change.
C. Goswell
Die Neue Düsseldorfer Malerschule, Krefelder Kunstmuseen, Kerber Verlag, 2003
Prosa Nr. 8, Publikation der Hedwig und Robert Samuel Stiftung, 2004
This Time Painting, Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, 2004
Kunstforum Bd. 168, Jan.-Feb., Die Neue Düsseldorfer Malerschule, Helga Meister, 2004
Düsseldorf im Juni, Krinzinger Projekte, Wien, 2006
Sonderschicht, Kunstverein Oberhausen e.V., Verlag Peter Todden, 2010
Light, Galerie Alpineum Luzern, Hrsg. Karin Lustenberger, 2016
Imprint: An der Industriebahn 12 * 13088 Berlin * 0049-30-49914727 * s-arz@gmx.de