Growing up in a Punjabi family in Vancouver, Canada, the vibrant colours of Indian fabrics and the art of the Canadian First Nations people were Sonu Murphy’s creative influences. Her art today depicts stunning sunsets, whimsical fish, playful turtles, stoic octopuses, and colourful jellyfish, which are brought to life with a strong palette of bold, bright, and harmonious colours.
Sonu works mainly in acrylic paint on canvas, metalwork or reclaimed and recycled wood. She also experiments in ink, creating graphics, tattoo art, and mandala-style works. When asked about the meaning behind her work, she explains that each piece is unique, but they all share the same purpose: to evoke positive emotions in the viewer, be it joy, laughter, whimsy, remembrance or love.
Sonu’s love affair with Antigua began in 2003 when she arrived as an archaeology and art student and met her husband, David. After many trips back and forth, they moved their family to Antigua in 2016, when her journey as an artist transitioned from a hobby to a profession. She’s been dedicated to her craft ever since.
When not painting, she spends her time making sand sculptures on the beach with her inspiration, her daughter.