Curriculum Vitae
2025 Painting tutor, Advanced Diploma Coordinator, The Learning Connexion, Wellington (since 2004).
2020-2024 Continuing own artwork
2019 Travel/ research in Europe
2016 Waikanae Summer Studio Tour, studio artist
2015 Travelled to Hawaii
2014 Kapiti Arts Trail, studio artist. Finalist, Wellington Regional Art Award
2013 Kapiti Arts Trail, studio artist
2011 Travel in U.S
2007 Son Caspar born
2002-2004 Part-time lecturer in Art & Design Studies, School of Art & Design Studies, Massey University Wellington
2002 Finalist Trust Waikato Art Award. Part-time lecturer in Painting, School of Fine Arts, Massey University Wellington
1999–2001 Worked as an English teacher in Nara, Japan (JET Programme). Travel in U.S and Asia
1998–1999 Rita Angus Cottage Residency
1998 Finalist James Wallace Art Award
1997 Finalist Visa Gold Art Award. Finalist James Wallace Art Award
1996 Finalist Visa Gold Art Award. Finalist James Wallace Art Award
1992 Graduated Master of Fine Arts, First Class Honours (Painting)
Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland
University of Auckland Graduate Scholarship
Finalist James Wallace Art Awards
Graduate tutor at Elam (Painting)
1991 Graduate instructor at Elam (Painting)
1991–1992 MFA (Painting)
1990 Graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts
Rothmans Award
1986 Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland
1968 Born Wellington of mixed NZ & Luxembourg descent.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 “The Uncovered Moment” Bowen Galleries, Wellington
2022 “Pranam” Mahara-iti Gallery, Waikanae
2021 “Invincible Summer” Bowen Galleries, Wellington
2019 “Devotee” Bowen Galleries, Wellington
2018 “Witness” Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2016 Bowen Galleries, Wellington
2015 “Ever Shine” Bowen Galleries Window, Wellington
2014 “Wayfarer” Bowen Galleries, Wellington
2013 “Another Stillness” Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2007 Bowen Galleries Window
2004 “Impertinent Preferences- 7 Collages” Bowen Galleries, Wellington
1998 “Abide as the Self” Ivan Anthony Gallery, Auckland. “Here and There, Everything is You” Brian Queenin Gallery, Wellington
1997 “Ganymede–Recent Paintings” Brooker Gallery, Wellington
1996 “Beloved–Say I am YOU” Brooker Gallery, Wellington
1995 “Saudades” New Work Studio, Wellington
1993 Claybrook Gallery, Auckland
Bowen Galleries, Wellington
1992 “It hides, yet shows itself” RKS Art, Auckland
1991 New Moon Gallery, Wellington
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Arotake Toi, Mahara Arts Review, Toi Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2022 “Chromatic Offerings,” (two person show) Taupo Museum
2021 “An observational practice,” Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2020 “A nod to nature,” Bowen Galleries, Wellington. “re-framed//lockdown,” Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2017 Mahara Review Show, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2015 Mahara Review Show, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae. “Sketchy” 4Cross St Gallery, Auckland
2014 Wellington Regional Arts Review, Expressions Art & Entertainment Centre, Upper Hutt. “Kapiti Artists- A Capital Show,” Parliamentary Gallery, Wellington
2013 Mahara Review Show, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2012 Mahara Review Show, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2005 “Women’s Drawing Show,” Te Wa Gallery, Wanganui & Wellington
2004 “Imaginary Voyages,” exhibition of international collage, Expressions Gallery, Upper Hutt. “Works on Paper,” Bowen Galleries, Wellington, November
2002 Trust Waikato Art Award, Waikato Museum of Art & History, August. Idiom Studio, Wellington–Group Show
1999 Ando-cho Cultural Festival, Nara, Japan
1996 “Skirting Abstraction–12 Women Abstract Artists”. Govett-Brewster Gallery, New Plymouth. “Sophie Saunders, Ken Heyes, Aaron Fry”. Brooker Gallery Wellington
1995 “Local Colour”–Eight Wellington Artists. City Gallery, Wellington
1994 “Parallel Lines–Gordon Walters in Context” Auckland City Art Gallery. “On Rigour, Three Abstract Painters” New Work Studio
1992 “A Breath of Fresh Art” The Bath-House Art & History Museum, Rotorua. “Mixed Masters” ASA Gallery, Auckland. “Small Works” ASA Gallery
1991 “Building Bridges” (Elam & Ilam Painters) CSA Gallery, Christchurch. “Elam Painters
1990” ASA Gallery. “Pembridge” Show
1989 “Pembridge” Show
Collections
Wellington City Council
James Wallace Trust
Ralph Hotere
Jacqueline Fahey
Alberto Garcia-Alvarez
National Bank
Foresight Collection
Sheffield Consultancy Group
Private Collections-NZ, Japan, U.S, Australia & Europe
Reviews / Publications
Allan Smith “Sophie Saunders–The Holy Irreverence of Shapes and Colours”–exhibition catalogue essay 1998
Katy Corner, City Voice November 26, 1998
Katy Corner, City Voice August 7, 1997
Allan Smith, Art NZ no. 82/Autumn 1997
Daily News, New Plymouth December 3, 1996
Mark Amery, Listener “Critics Choice” June 29, 1996
Mark Amery, Sunday Star Times February 11, 1996 (“Saunders Makes the Impossible Seem Possible”)
Katy Corner, City Voice September 28, 1995
James Mack, Evening Post October 5, 1995
Katy Corner, City Voice September 27, 1995
Mark Amery, Sunday Star Times October 1 1995
Allan Smith, “Local Colour” catalogue 1995
Louise Garrett, Dominion July 19, 1993
TJ McNamara, NZ Herald June 3, 1993
“Elam Art Calendar” 1993
TJ McNamara, NZ Herald June 18, 1991
Rob Taylor, Dominion March 6, 1991
Stephen Cain Evening Post March 4, 1991 (“Saunders Captures Sense of Joy”)
Lectures / Floor Talks
Artist’s talk for “Pranam,” Mahara-iti Gallery, February 2023
Artist’s talk for “Chromatic Offerings,” Taupo Museum, August 2022
Artist’s floortalk for “an observational practice,” Mahara Gallery, March 2021
Artist’s floortalk for “Witness,” Mahara Gallery, October 2018
Opening speech for Mayumi Sherburn “Translated into Paper” Taupo Museum, March, 2018
Massey University, Wellington 2002–3, various slide talks in the capacity of a part-time lecturer
Nara City, Japan December 10, 2000
Speech and slide show to the Nara Chapter of the United Nations Society
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth
November 10, 1996- Artist’s talk
City Gallery, Wellington November 23, 1995 as part of Open City programme
Other
Painting featured on CD cover of “In Between,” music by composer/pianist Gabriele Gschwendtner, 2018