Sophie Vallance
Overview
Encounters from her everyday are re-imagined on her large square canvases, half reality, half fantasy.
Sophie Vallance’s practice as a painter is best described as an intense examination of life; a conversation with herself. Encounters from her everyday are re-imagined on her large square canvases, half reality, half fantasy. Her imagery draws heavily on animals, self portraiture, food, and her subjective reality. In turn, these are inflected by tonalities ranging from the humorous to the darkly sad. She is currently based in Glasgow but has lived in both Berlin and London, allowing her practice to naturally evolve through time and locale, tied not to particular geographical place, but instead to the experiential and how it takes on shape and distinction in hindsight. Her own voice sits at the nexus of feminist practices, cathartic art-making, processes of confession, folklore, and storytelling.
Works
Biography
B. 1993, England, Based in Glasgow, UK.
Education
2013-2015 Painting Camberwell College of Arts
2011-2012 Foundation in Art and Design CCW Progression Centre
Selected Exhibitions
2020 ‘NBB Paperworks Vol 1’ Berlin, Germany
2020 ‘Original Paper’ Wilder Gallery, London
2020 ‘Curated for Christmas’ Bowes Parris Gallery x All Mouth Gallery, London
2020 ‘Pending’ San Mei Gallery, London
2020 ‘Discerning Eye’ Mall Galleries London
2020 ‘Peeka-Fuckin-Boo’ Guts Gallery x Soft Punk, London
2020 ‘LIMBO’ Everyday Gallery, Antwerp
2020 ‘The Just’ Aleph Contemporary, London
2020 ‘Begin Again’ Guts Gallery, London
2020 ‘Anti-Freeze’ Bowes Parris Gallery, London
2020 ‘Even Tigers Need a Rest’ Aleph Contemporary, London
2020 ‘When Shit Hits The Fan’ GUTS Gallery, London
2019 ‘Sophie Vallance X David Esquivel’ Galerie Tracanelli, Grenoble, France
2019 ‘Opening Exhibition’ GUTS Gallery, London
2019 ‘Let Me Try to Explain’ L21 Gallery, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2019 ‘Manifest The Future’ Castiglioni, São Paulo, Brazil
2019 ‘Salad Days’, YNGSPC Online Exhibition
2018 ‘They Said I Was Special’, Union Gallery, London
2018 'Predatory Behaviour', T293, Rome, Italy
2018 'Her Presence is Fuel' Mo Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2018 ‘H E R U S' Berlin, Germany
2018 'Slightly Seared on The Reality Grill' Unit 5 Gallery, London
2017 'Young Contemporary Talent Exhibition' Ingram Collection, London
2017 'PC4PC' 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, London
2017 'Mine, Others and Yours' We are BUD, Athens, Greece
2015 'One Potato, Two' Arch Collective, London
2015 '24 Hour Project' GX Gallery, London
2015 'UNIT' CGP/ Cafe Gallery, London
2012 'CCW Foundation Show' CCW Progression Centre, London
2012 'RBA and NADFAS Annual Show' Mall Galleries, London
Residencies and Awards
2019 L21 Gallery Residency, Spain
2017 Young Contemporary Talent Prize, Ingram Collection (FINALIST)
Press
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Top Ten Shows from the UK and Ireland
Mimi Chu, Frieze, 12 Feb 2021 -
TO SKIN A CAT: IN CONVERSATION WITH SOPHIE VALLANCE CANTOR
Layla Leiman, ARTMAZE Magazine -
ON VIEW BY FLASH ART: “It’s 2020 For F*ck Sake” Guts Gallery and Soft Punk / London
Flash Art , 11 Dec 2020 -
IT’S 2020 FOR F*CK SAKE
ART PLUGGED, ART PLUGGED, 30 Sep 2020 -
Begin Again is the virtual art exhibition tackling racial inequality
Gunseli Yalcinkaya, Dazed , 14 Aug 2020 -
Scrap that, lets begin again
TJ Sidhu, The Face, 13 Aug 2020 -
Begin Again: The online exhibition challenging austerity and racial oppression
Scarlett Baker , Love Magazine, 13 Aug 2020 -
Artist Interview | Sophie Vallance Cantor
Josh Price, GowithYamo, 10 Jun 2020 -
Ten's to see 'When Shit Hits the Fan', The insta-exhibition by Guts Gallery
Paul Toner, 10 Magazine, 2 Apr 2020 -
The London art you can take a virtual tour of right now for free
Lucy Scovell, The Glossary, 29 Mar 2020 -
When Shit Hits the Fan (In the Artworld)
TJ Sidhu, The Face, 27 Mar 2020 -
Art markets find high-tech ways to reach buyers
Melanie Gerlis, Financial Times, 27 Mar 2020 -
This Instagram-only exhibition is full of London’s best young artists
Eddy Frankel, Time Out London, 24 Mar 2020 -
Guts Gallery present ‘When shit hits the fan’ a digital Instagram exhibition
Mark Westall, Fad Magazine, 23 Mar 2020 -
Explore south east London’s underground art galleries
Phoebe Gardner, Wallpaper, 21 Feb 2020 -
GUTS GALLERY TO OPEN IN LONDON NEXT WEEK PROVIDING SPACE AND EXPOSURE FOR BAME ARTISTS, FEMALE ARTISTS, WORKING-CLASS AR
Mark Westall, FAD Magazine, 10 May 2019 -
SOPHIE AND DOUGLAS CANTOR. A catalyser of thoughts and experiences.
MARTIN MAYORGA, DATEAGLE ART, 24 Jul 2018 -
Sophie Vallance Interview on FLOORR MAGAZINE
Stephen Feather, Floorr Magazine, 10 Jul 2018 -
sophie vallance cantor’s cat paintings explore anxiety and empowerment
Alice Newell-Hanson, i-D Magazine, 25 Aug 2017
Exhibitions
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WHEN SHIT HITS THE FAN AGAIN
FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISTS, 1 NIGHT ONLY. 4 Feb - 4 Mar 2021Through the invitation extended to established artists into the exhibition. We are hoping to reinstate a balance of power. Allowing established artists to shoulder emerging artists. 50% of sales of works sold by an established artist, will be distributed entirely to all the emerging artists involved. This redistribution of wealth offers a new outlook and model that is fundamentally for artists, by artists, creating an alternative system of support.Read more -
PEEKA-FUCKIN-BOO
A Debut Solo Show by Sophie Vallance | It's 2020 For F*ck Sake – A Thirteen Artist, Back-to-Back Solo Exhibition Marathon 5 - 9 Nov 2020A Debut Solo Show by Sophie Vallance as part of the It's 2020 For F*ck Sake Exhibition MarathonRead more -
BEGIN AGAIN
As society shifts, the art world shifts. We are on the cusp of change. 13 - 27 Aug 2020This is a time to stop, reflect, create dialogue, and put our words into positive action. To begin again we must shoulder each other, listen to each other, work together and collectively change together. As the newest generation of art collectors, we urge you to collect from this exhibition. The revenue made will support The Free Black University and the newest generation of artists.Read more
Begin
to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start
Again
once more; another time; anew; in addition
With many thanks to Lotte Andersen for her continuous support throughout this exhibition, and to Pallas Citroen, Director of The Bomb Factory Art Foundation. Who is kindly providing a free gallery space as part of The Guts Prize.
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WHEN SHIT HITS THE FAN
Gallery openings have been affected by the spread of coronavirus 26 Mar - 16 Apr 2020Many art-related events, including Guts Gallery's, have either been cancelled or postponed, causing a large economic impact on artists and smaller galleries. We want to challenge this, putting our ethos of supporting underrepresented contemporary voices into action by navigating this set back through a digital Instagram exhibition.Read more
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GUTS GALLERY OPENING
Guts Gallery is opening its doors for the first time, exhibiting works from renowned and emerging practitioners at Ugly Duck’s London Bridge event space. 16 - 19 May 2019Guts Gallery is opening its doors for the first time, exhibiting works from renowned and emerging practitioners at Ugly Duck’s London Bridge event space.Read more
Related content
-
Top Ten Shows from the UK and Ireland
Frieze 12 Feb 2021‘When Shit Hits the Fan’, Guts Gallery , until 4 March Since founding Guts Gallery in 2019, Ellie Pennick has worked on a number of...Read more -
WHEN SHIT HITS THE FAN AGAIN
FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISTS, 1 NIGHT ONLY. 4 Feb - 4 Mar 2021Through the invitation extended to established artists into the exhibition. We are hoping to reinstate a balance of power. Allowing established artists to shoulder emerging artists. 50% of sales of works sold by an established artist, will be distributed entirely to all the emerging artists involved. This redistribution of wealth offers a new outlook and model that is fundamentally for artists, by artists, creating an alternative system of support.Read more -
TO SKIN A CAT: IN CONVERSATION WITH SOPHIE VALLANCE CANTOR
ARTMAZE Magazine 16 Jan 2021Sushi cat, three-eyed cat, ghost cats, tiger cat, black cat, ginger cat, striped, spotted, yellow, pink, red and blue cats. Cat’s in ruffled collars, cats...Read more -
ON VIEW BY FLASH ART: “It’s 2020 For F*ck Sake” Guts Gallery and Soft Punk / London
Flash Art 11 Dec 2020Guts Gallery and Soft Punk Magazine are proud to collaboratively present “It’s 2020 For F*ck Sake”, a thirteen artist, back-to-back solo exhibition marathon, running from...Read more -
PEEKA-FUCKIN-BOO
A Debut Solo Show by Sophie Vallance | It's 2020 For F*ck Sake – A Thirteen Artist, Back-to-Back Solo Exhibition Marathon 5 - 9 Nov 2020A Debut Solo Show by Sophie Vallance as part of the It's 2020 For F*ck Sake Exhibition MarathonRead more -
IT’S 2020 FOR F*CK SAKE
ART PLUGGED 30 Sep 2020'Guts Gallery and Soft Punk Magazine are proud to collaboratively present “It’s 2020 For F*ck Sake”, a thirteen artist, back-to-back solo exhibition marathon, running from...Read more -
Begin Again is the virtual art exhibition tackling racial inequality
Dazed 14 Aug 2020'Guts Gallery, a platform supporting underrepresented contemporary voices in the arts, has kicked off its Instagram exhibition showcasing artists with proceeds going to the Free...Read more -
Begin Again: The online exhibition challenging austerity and racial oppression
Love Magazine 13 Aug 2020'With the turn of a new decade came an intersectional crossroad. Following the murder of GEORGE FLOYD and the outbreak of a global pandemic, the...Read more -
Scrap that, lets begin again
The Face 13 Aug 2020'It was at the peak of the UK ’s lockdown when Ellie Pennick, founder of Guts Gallery, rounded up 38 artists to produce When Shit...Read more -
BEGIN AGAIN
As society shifts, the art world shifts. We are on the cusp of change. 13 - 27 Aug 2020This is a time to stop, reflect, create dialogue, and put our words into positive action. To begin again we must shoulder each other, listen to each other, work together and collectively change together. As the newest generation of art collectors, we urge you to collect from this exhibition. The revenue made will support The Free Black University and the newest generation of artists. Begin to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start Again once more; another time; anew; in addition With many thanks to Lotte Andersen for her continuous support throughout this exhibition, and to Pallas Citroen, Director of The Bomb Factory Art Foundation. Who is kindly providing a free gallery space as part of The Guts Prize.Read more -
Artist Interview | Sophie Vallance Cantor
GowithYamo 10 Jun 2020Artist Sophie Vallance Cantor in conversation with gowithYamo.Read more -
Ten's to see 'When Shit Hits the Fan', The insta-exhibition by Guts Gallery
10 Magazine 2 Apr 2020'You’re headed to a private view for a new exhibition, what can you expect? A DJ spinning some obscure tunes? check. A free glass of...Read more -
The London art you can take a virtual tour of right now for free
The Glossary 29 Mar 2020' Since throwing open its doors in 2019, Mayfair-based Guts Gallery has championed the ‘underrepresented’ voices of the art world. As the coronavirus crisis sets...Read more -
Art markets find high-tech ways to reach buyers
Financial Times 27 Mar 2020'At the other end of the commercial scale is Guts Gallery, run by the 23-year-old artist Ellie Pennick. She is posting work by 31 of...Read more -
When Shit Hits the Fan (In the Artworld)
The Face 27 Mar 2020' Shit hit the fan, so Guts Gallery founder and curator Ellie Pennick responded with When Shit Hits the Fan – an Instagram art exhibition...Read more -
WHEN SHIT HITS THE FAN
Gallery openings have been affected by the spread of coronavirus 26 Mar - 16 Apr 2020Many art-related events, including Guts Gallery's, have either been cancelled or postponed, causing a large economic impact on artists and smaller galleries. We want to challenge this, putting our ethos of supporting underrepresented contemporary voices into action by navigating this set back through a digital Instagram exhibition.Read more -
This Instagram-only exhibition is full of London’s best young artists
Time Out London 24 Mar 2020'It’s not just the big museums that have closed in the wake of coronavirus, all of London’s amazing smaller galleries have shut their doors too....Read more -
Guts Gallery present ‘When shit hits the fan’ a digital Instagram exhibition
Fad Magazine 23 Mar 2020' Gallery openings have been affected by the spread of coronavirus. Many art-related events, including Guts Gallery’s, have either been cancelled or postponed, causing a...Read more -
Explore south east London’s underground art galleries
Wallpaper 21 Feb 2020'Newly established Guts Gallery has dedicated itself to provide the much-needed platform and support system for underrepresented contemporary voices in the industry – BAME, queer,...Read more -
GUTS GALLERY OPENING
Guts Gallery is opening its doors for the first time, exhibiting works from renowned and emerging practitioners at Ugly Duck’s London Bridge event space. 16 - 19 May 2019Guts Gallery is opening its doors for the first time, exhibiting works from renowned and emerging practitioners at Ugly Duck’s London Bridge event space.Read more -
GUTS GALLERY TO OPEN IN LONDON NEXT WEEK PROVIDING SPACE AND EXPOSURE FOR BAME ARTISTS, FEMALE ARTISTS, WORKING-CLASS AR
FAD Magazine 10 May 2019'Guts Gallery aims are to provide financial support and exhibition opportunities for artists less platformed within today’s contemporary art scene; their desire is to facilitate...Read more -
SOPHIE AND DOUGLAS CANTOR. A catalyser of thoughts and experiences.
DATEAGLE ART 24 Jul 2018It’s been three years now since artists Sophie Vallance Cantor and Douglas Cantor moved to Berlin, a city that has provided them with a sense...Read more -
Sophie Vallance Interview on FLOORR MAGAZINE
Floorr Magazine 10 Jul 2018'By addresing anxiety, I'm hoping to transform vulnerability into power, whether it's through humour or seriousness, it definitely helps me alter how I'm feeling'Read more -
sophie vallance cantor’s cat paintings explore anxiety and empowerment
i-D Magazine 25 Aug 2017The Berlin-based artist turns everyday experiences into funny, beautiful canvases that she sometimes presents balanced on rolls of toilet paper or framed by vases of...Read more