Biography

Sonya Iwasiuk

Sonya Iwasiuk is a Vancouver-based mixed media artist whose work is deeply inspired by her early experiences growing up in Northern Alberta. As a child, she often explored abandoned homesteads, which sparked her lifelong fascination with memory, history, and the stories hidden in forgotten places. This connection to her Ukrainian heritage and the natural world has significantly influenced her artistic journey, leading her to incorporate themes of memory, history, and transformation into her work.

Sonya is a self-taught artist who initially trained as a graphic designer and illustrator. After working in the design field for several years, she transitioned into fine art, focusing on mixed media painting and public art installations. Over the years, she has developed a distinctive style that blends unconventional materials such as hand-rusted steel, gold leaf, and embossed acrylic skins. These elements create rich, tactile textures in her work, inviting viewers to engage with her pieces on a deeper sensory level.

Sonya’s work often explores themes of resilience, connection, and the passage of time, which she conveys through layers of texture, color, and materials. She uses her pieces to tell stories—sometimes personal, sometimes collective—capturing the essence of moments in time, memories, and history that shape our identities. Her art often incorporates both natural and man-made elements, reflecting the interplay between human existence and the environment.