Employment
Inspire others through art
SUNITA Mathews is a familiar face in art exhibitions. Born and raised in Sabeto, Nadi the young Sunita referred to fondly as Soni didn’t realise that her love for colours would help shape her artistic future.
Now residing in Pacific Harbour, the happily married mother of three is grateful for the support she has received over the years because of her work.
With her abstract art, Soni makes art lovers think critically about her piece allowing their own depiction of each masterwork.
“I was always good with my hands. I used to watch my grandmother work on her embroidery as a young kid and I always wanted to help her,” she said. “Grandmother taught me embroidery and that was my introduction to colours on a plain background but I didn’t pick up a paintbrush until my children started learning how to colour between the lines. ”
Actual painting started in American Samoa where her husband used to make frames that were sold at craft fairs.
“I always needed to fill the frames that my husband made so it would attract people’s attention,” she said. “It taught me how to play with paint.” Today she is quickly mastering abstract work, which is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.
“I am interested in abstract because every time you look at a painting you can always find something new or intriguing, especially if they are big ones,” she said. Soni says her children are the artists at home.
“My children are better artists than me. My daughter started selling some of her painting at the Roc Market when she was nine years old and my 14-yearold son started selling some of his art pieces last month at the Roc Market too,” she said.
Soni said renowned artist Craig Marlow first noticed her work.
She said Craig thought she was good enough and encouraged her to enter her first exhibition in 2009. “My husband always encouraged me to strive and be better with what I do but he doesn’t count,” she said with a laugh. Her paintings are often a reflection of her feelings.
She draws inspiration from local artists such as Craig Marlow, Maria Rova and Lambert Ho and international artists like Tom Fedro. Soni hopes to inspire everyone with her art.