Quo Vadis (2019) Painting by Sonya Kertész

Sonya Kertész is a multidisciplinary artist who paints in oils and acrylics, and creates ceramic sculptures. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Concordia University in Montreal. A diver for 30 years and an underwater photographer, her approach is centered around her diving expeditions and travels. Kertész is interested in places filled with history and the traces left by man.
Artistic Approach
My artistic approach revolves around the marine world. During my dives, I seek out hard-to-reach places like caves, industrial structures, and shipwrecks to capture images through my lens that will serve as inspiration for my creations. I therefore conduct preliminary research, which consists of photographing underwater environments. Using specialized equipment, I seek to capture abstract forms, luminosity, textures, reliefs, and colors specific to different geographical locations and subjects associated with the aquatic world.
My creations focus on the transformation of the seabed, coral, and shipwrecks over time to highlight our new era called the Anthropocene; one in which human activity threatens our environment. My intention with my works is to raise awareness among the viewer of the effects caused by human presence on land and in the sea.
My approach to creating these paintings is to begin by sorting through my photos taken during my dives, then modifying them, cropping them, and changing their colors and shapes. I draw on my canvas with a pencil and begin my painting with a wash consisting primarily of solvent. I work with several subsequent layers of paint, taking care to let it dry between layers. I create my own colors using several tones and seek out dichromatic color combinations.

• Nationality: CANADA
• Date of birth : 1969
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Canadian Artists

The Artist was highlighted in an article in ArtMajeur Magazine:

Sonya Kertész: an artistic immersion between marine depths and human sensitivity