Biography
The artist Apolonia Sokol, born in 1988 in Paris, is a French figurative painter of Polish descent. Trained at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, she later worked in Dan Colen's studio in New York before exploring the art scenes of Los Angeles, Berlin, and Istanbul. Her oil paintings on canvas draw inspiration from art history, feminism, and the representation of the human body. Blending classical and contemporary influences, she reinterprets traditional painting to highlight marginalized identities, particularly those of women and minorities. Her work, exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, is strongly influenced by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Christian Schad, and Walker Evans.
In 2024, she made a significant impact on contemporary art with her exhibition "ISLAWIO" (I Shall Love Again When I'm Obsolete) at The Pill gallery in Paris. Alongside Suela J. Cennet and Nicolai Bejder, this exhibition explores painting as an act of resistance in the face of global violence. She also collaborated with poet Zahna Siham Benamor for the exhibition "The False Rose of Jericho" at Overgaden, Copenhagen, reinterpreting historical portraiture to examine identity and exile. Her painting "Le Massacre des Innocents", reminiscent of the commitment seen in the works of Matthias Garcia and other emerging painters, received high praise from art critics. Additionally, her documentary "Apolonia, Apolonia", directed by Lea Glob, continues to win international awards, further solidifying her influence in the art world.
A laureate of the French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici, she has also exhibited in the United States, including at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Her work echoes the activism of figures like Audre Lorde and resonates with the energy of young art critics in today's art scene. With works showcased both online and in major institutions, Apolonia Sokol stands out as a leading voice in French figurative painting.
Nationality