Red buffalo.
Art

Sophie Standing – amazing collages from pieces of fabric

Red buffalo.
Red buffalo by Sophie Standing.

Sophie Standing is an artist who creates amazing collages from pieces of fabric. Sophie was born and raised in England, in Hampshire. In 2003, she moved to South Africa, and now lives in Kenya. The diversity of African flora and fauna inspired her to create unusual works. The artist creates complex collages from fabric, and then uses a sewing machine to “paint” the details with bright threads.

Her works resemble ancient tapestries that decorated medieval castles.

Lilac orange flowers.
Lilac orange flowers.

She has amazing hands, under which fairy-tale paintings bloom. First, she depicts a picture on canvas, and then embroiders it with different multi-colored scraps of fabric. Such work requires perseverance and patience, but upon completion, the picture begins to seem alive.

The works of Kenyan artist Sophie Standing are made in the collage technique, which has much in common with such techniques as patchwork and quilts remember the well-known patchwork blankets. At the same time, to create such amazing collage-style products, it is not enough to just be an artist, you will also need skills in working with other materials, such as wood, ceramics and even pens and ink. In addition to handwork, the laws of the genre allow the use of various tools and modern technologies. In other words, you have to be a jack of all trades, which is exactly what Sophie Standing is.

Colorful tiger face.
Colorful tiger face.

The artist, who creates amazing collages from pieces of fabric, was born in England and grew up in Hampshire. She studied wood, metal, ceramics and textiles at the University of Liverpool. After graduating, Sophie changed many professions. She has done everything from designing stained glass windows, modeling evening dresses, drawing sketches for ceramics all of her professions were somehow related to art. Only through trial and error did Sophie discover that her true passion was textiles.

The idea of ​​creating stunningly realistic images of animals, plants, insects and birds from colorful patches came to her under the first unforgettable impression that the unique wild flora and fauna of the African continent made on the artist when Sophie moved to South Africa in 2003.

Sophie Standing at work.
Sophie Standing at work.

Currently, Sophie Standing lives and creates in Kenya in the Karen district, drawing inspiration from nature to this day.

Her characteristic feature of the manner of depicting animals is not only the ability to convey their beauty, but also their dynamics and temperament. One of Sophie Standing’s most famous works is a rhinoceros “assembled” from many colorful patches.

The artist’s unusual work mainly features floral motifs, which is why even the most formidable predators look quite peaceful in her collages.

Eagle in profile.
Eagle in profile.

The texture, shape and color of the patches are combined completely arbitrarily, the most bizarre and unexpected combinations are allowed. If even this diversity seems insufficient, the missing riot of colors is “drawn” using a sewing machine and contrasting threads.

One of the artist’s secrets lies in the initially embossed surface of the base canvas. Barely noticeable irregularities create an additional effect of light and shadow, giving the paintings naturalness and dynamism.

As is known, creative people prefer to work in solitude. However, one of the artist’s friends was very lucky: she became a witness to the process of creating a collage and even partly a co-author. Together with Sophie, they came up with a drawing as a Christmas gift for her husband, who since childhood admired elephants, the grandeur and wisdom of these giants, it was on them that the friends decided to focus. Before starting work, the friends walked around the house for a long time, discussing all sorts of elephant hypostases.

Eagle's eye.
Eagle’s eye.

The first idea was the background: wood and plant components seemed to be the best option, most in harmony with the concept of the future fabric mosaic. Then one sketch replaced another, and many new ideas were born in the process. There are significantly fewer risks in creating collages than in painting with oils, where one unsuccessful stroke can ruin all previous efforts. Sophie changed the position and facial expressions of the elephant several times and brought new details to the background surrounding it. Thus, the imitation of the smallest dust particles gave the picture a sea of ​​​​liveness and charm, a non-professional would hardly have guessed without a hint what the trick was here. When the composition was ready, Sophie’s friend froze in admiration: the image seemed to radiate restraint and the power of the giant hidden behind it, he was really alive.

Colorful bison.
Colorful bison.

The artist is driven not only by her love for art. Sophie cannot remain indifferent to environmental issues, which is her main source of inspiration. It is for this reason that among the characters in her work there are rare species of animals that are threatened with extinction. In this way, Sophie tries to draw public attention to the environmental issues that are so pressing today.

At home, Sophie is known not only as the author of amazing collages, but also as a florist. Now it becomes obvious why even a cute rhinoceros on her canvases is decorated with a floral pattern, because floristry is the artist’s second passion. You can admire the floral designs from the famous Sophie Standing in person at elite weddings, if, of course, you manage to get an invitation.

Creating a painting.
Creating a painting.

Sophie Standing’s collages participate in world-famous exhibitions: Piccadilly, London Exhibition, Mason and Fortrum, their textile mosaic pleases the eye with a riot of colors and fully reveals the breadth of the artist’s talent. Sophie often receives orders from South Africa, Kenya and Western European countries.

Lizard.
Lizard.
Sophie Standing Colorful rhinoceros head.
Colorful rhinoceros head.
Sophie Standing Amazing eyes of a tiger.
Amazing eyes of a tiger.
Sophie Standing Rhino head.
Rhino head.
Sophie Standing Colorful elephant.
Colorful elephant.
Sophie Standing Landscape with trees and bison.
Landscape with trees and bison.
Sophie Standing Detail of the painting, rhinoceros paw.
Detail of the painting, rhinoceros paw.
Sophie Standing Flower Rhinoceros.
Flower Rhinoceros.
Sophie Standing Part of the fabric for the painting.
Part of the fabric for the painting.
Spotted jackal.
Spotted jackal.
Sophie Standing Rhinoceros.
Rhinoceros.
Sophie Standing A monkey with her child.
A monkey with her child.