Artist Statement/Bio:
Sophie LaBell is an abstract artist who utilizes acrylic, marker, and pen to create vibrant paintings and drawings. Minimalist in nature, but maximalist in her work, Sophie creates detailed lines and shapes that bleed off the edges of her works on paper. Vibrant neon palettes create a visual vibration, suggesting microscopic change and movement. Her process is intuitive– no sketching or planning– each mark responding to the one before it, growing like cells dividing: unpredictable, interconnected and alive. After being diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease in 2022, Sophie became fascinated with the unseen anatomy of the body: mast cells, spike proteins, the tangled architecture of nerves. Sophie’s work is grounded in both personal experience and biological curiosity. Her drawings and paintings transform this hidden biology into color, rhythm and energy– stemming from the belief that what exists inside us can be made visual.
Sophie received her BFA in Graphic Design from School of Visual Arts in 2017. With a focus on design for social change, she has designed for dozens of political candidates running for office. These projects have included brand identities, digital and print assets, and visual campaigns for political candidates and social causes across the United States. Alongside her experience in design, Sophie has maintained a lifelong commitment to drawing and visual art. Coursework in anatomy, medical terminology and public health expanded her understanding of the body and its complexities– insights that deeply inform her studio practice. She is actively engaged in arts organizations throughout New Jersey, where she is continuously evolving her work at the intersection of art, science, and personal narrative.
Recent Exhibits:
“Across The Line”, Studio Montclair, 3/15/24-4/19/24
“37th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 4/6/24-4/30/24
Judge: Kelly Long– Senior Curatorial Assistant at the Whitney Museum of American Art
“35 Under 35”, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, 7/20/24-8/18/24
Judge: Ruba Katrib–Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs at MoMA PS1
“State of the Art 2024”, Studio Montclair, 7/12/24-8/17/24
“Art in the Park”, Bergen County Arts, 10/19/24; Honorable Mention
“Seasonal Color”. Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 2/1/25-2/26/25
Judge: Paul Ferney
“45th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Monmouth Museum, 3/2/25-4/13/25
Judge: Sangita Phadke + Jenn Hampton
“Cool + Hot”, Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 3/1/25-4/2/25
Judge: Belle Koblentz
“21st Annual Juried Art Show”, Belmar Arts Center, 5/5/25-6/7/25
Judge: Carla Valentino
“Emerging Bloom”, Khawam Gallery, 5/15/24-6/14/2025
“New Drawings”, Kentler International Drawing Space, 6/14/25-7/20/25
Judge: Samantha Friedman, Curator of Drawings and Prints– MoMA New York
“Works on Paper 2025”, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, 5/17/25-7/6/25
Judge: Samantha Friedman, Curator of Drawings and Prints– MoMA New York
“State of the Art 2025”, Studio Montclair, 6/27/24-7/25/25
“Absolutely Abstract 2025”, Philadelphia Sketch Club, 7/6/25-7/27/25; Second Place
Judge: Kaseem Amoudi
“Life Beneath the Waves”, Belmar Arts Center, 7/14/25-9/6/25
“33rd Annual International Juried Exhibition”, Viridian Artists Gallery, 7/15/25-8/9/25; Director’s Choice Award
Judge: Christopher Heffernan– Gallery Director
“40 Under 40”, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts, 7/19/25-8/10/25
Judge: Jennifer Rubio, Associate Curator of the Collection, Whitney Museum of American Art
“September Members Show”, Art Alliance Of Monmouth County; 9/6/25-9/30/25
“Pint Size 3”, Transmission Gallery, 9/18/25-11/1/25
“2025 Juried Exhibition”, Hunterdon Art Museum, 9/21/25-1/11/26
Judge: Donna Gustafson– Chief Curator at the American Federation of Arts
“33rd Annual Open Juried Show”, Guild of Creative Art, 9/20/25-10/29/25": Mixed Media Award
Judges: Nancy Ori + Elisa Elorza
“12th Annual Fall Juried Show”, Loft Artists Association, 9/27/25-10/26/25
“Natural Settings Juried Show”, Art Alliance Of Monmouth County; 10/4/25-10/28/25
“Art Comes Alive 2025”, ADC Fine Art, 11/15/25-01/15/26
email: labellsop@gmail.com
instagram: slabell_art