Crescent Tree Gallery is pleased to present Sofia Shu: Equilibrium. The exhibition opens on May 6, 2023 and will run through June 29, 2023, with opening receptions on Saturday, May 6, and Saturday, June 3 from 6 PM to 9 PM. The receptions are free and open to the public.
These meticulously harmonized geometric paintings and tapestries by Sofia Shu strive to inspire a sensation of balance and serenity within the viewer. As the eye travels along their labyrinthine curves, precise lines, and soft gradients, her works manifest a meditative dimension that encourages a calm and contemplative state. While a work may begin with a sketch, she allows the composition to develop intuitively until it has achieved a satisfying equilibrium. The resulting works feel complete and entirely at peace, with a pleasing rhythm and no element out of place.
Shu’s interest in geometric forms grew from an early age, mirroring the infinite arrangements of mandala-like structures found in snowflakes. The vast expanses of clean white snow that often blanketed her small hometown in Siberia underpin the tidiness and minimalist color palette in her artwork. A trained architect, Shu’s crisp lines stem from years of drafting with a mechanical pencil, ruler, and compass. She practices meditation and breath work as vital components of her creative process, embodying the focus, attention, and awareness she wishes to invoke in others through her work.
Sofia Shu was born and raised in Siberia, where she received classic training in painting and drawing. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Moscow Architectural Institute, she relocated to New York City before settling in California. She has worked for a number of years as an interior designer and is currently based in San Francisco.
