Sofie Dieu - We Are The Ocean
Exhibition
1 March to 30 March 2022
“We are the Ocean”, by Sofie Dieu presented digitally edited drawings of the native flora and water across the four billboards at Laneway Gallery and was accompanied by a six-to-eight-minute video of the bay in the projection window. The body of work sat halfway between animation and visual storytelling, a visually effective and striking art form, rarely seen in public spaces.
In collaboration with Multicultural Women of Victoria (MWV formerly known as VIRWC) and Hobsons Bay City Council, Sofie undertook a community art project as part of International Women's Day on 8 March 2022. The project included a series of drawing and poetry workshops. The aim of the project was to positively represent multicultural women in public spaces, especially new Australians, through their creativity and social connection.
Artist Statement
Born in rural France, Sofie Dieu is a culturally and linguistically diverse visual artist. She engages with underrepresented communities to develop her multimedia projects. Her art lies at the intersection of womanhood, healing and spirituality.
Through textile and poetry workshops, Sofie gathers Australians' narratives. In the bush, she performs these personal stories and records them through photography and video. She later edits and paints these digital works in her studio.
Sofie's artworks focus on what shapes us, being our struggles as much as our hidden beauties. Profoundly poetic, her art gives voice to those who otherwise stay unheard.
Laneway Gallery is an outdoor exhibition space at Woods Street Art Space in Laverton. Part of the space’s overall annual programming, this is one of a series of commissioned displays by artists responding to social, historic, or environmental themes. Learn more about Laneway Gallery.
If you have questions about the work, please contact the Arts team at arts@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au