Mâophélie - Sophie D S Wright

Biographics
Also known as MâOphelie-sophiE D Schallerwright, Helvetian of Bulgarian descent, I grew up in the French part of Switzerland, not far from the city of Basel.
In this artful neighborhood, my sensitive and melancholic nature led me to the discovery of the beaux arts & literature very early on, shaping clear-cut predilections for me : The vivid lines of medieval miniatures & Japanese prints, of Aubrey Beardsley & Ivan Bilibin.
I soon immersed myself in illustrated fictions of my own. As I often felt in exile & estranged from others, I turned to objects of joy and fading memories. This gave me a thirst for more - more art, more melodies, more words, more landscapes.
So started a long journey, still unfolding …


Artist Statement

I envision my work as a lyrical token materializing the common human experience & it naturally unfolds as an intuitive & sensitive expression of the psychê - roots grounded in the surreal, branching towards an everlasting quest for harmony, which bears the print of various cultural influences - long journeys from Europe to the faraway East & the Far West, & back and forth -, of old & modern love poetry, tainted memories, sweetest melancholies & Joy.
And so I build a serene maze, whence simple curv...

Private residence, Belgrade, Serbia - Initiation to the techniques of Icons : gold leaf & painting with pigments - Private lessons (2022)

Rogue Valley Community Television - Public Access, Ashland, OR, United States - Initiation to Studio Producing - Theory & Practice (2020-2021)

Université de Genève & Fondation Baur, Switzerland - as a free listener - Asian Art History (2002-2003)

Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland - as a free listener - Medieval Art History (2000-2002)

Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland - Licence ès Lettres & Sciences Humaines (MA) - Medieval French, Philosophy, Dialectology (1992-1999)

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I have always sketched. But somehow, an everlasting passion for history, art & writing led me to the study of medieval French poetry, philosophy, & art history. With a Licentiate degree (MA), I eventually worked as a researcher & University Lecturer, which allowed me to delve for a while into the world of codices & expand my knowledge of iconography.

During my university years, I wasn’t sketching, yet, the rigorous attention to details & sophistication of medieval manuscripts, as well as the beautiful tales they tell, their exquisite depictions & delicate symbolism were to me luminous illustrations in waiting.

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Bloomsbury Blends (Ashland, OR, USA) - Solo Art Show - Artist of the Month (August 2023)

Rogue Gallery & Art Center (Medford, OR, USA) - Participation to the collective exhibition : The Celtic Art Show (March 2020 - in situ & then online)

Art Presence, Art Center (Jacksonville, OR, USA) - Participation to the collective exhibition : The Seventh Annual Angels Show (December 2019)