It’s an Artists World…
Written by Ian Hughes, It's Liverpool
Ice on the windshield, umbrellas torn inside out. Dark mornings, darker evenings and fingers too cold to move. We’re yearning for some colour, some brightness, some warmth. The perfect antidote to the season’s gloom? Step forward one of a kind Liverpool artist and emerging transgender icon Sophie Green.
Known for her strikingly kitsch yet endearingly characterful paintings, illustrations and digital art, Sophie is now also becoming more widely known as an influential trans activist, a move that has seen her work evolve into a more empowered and forceful sphere.
Sophie was recently named as ‘one to watch’ as part of the Independent on Sunday’s 2013 Pink List – highlighting the most influential Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in the UK. We met at her at her Liverpool City Centre studio to discover that there is much more to this extraordinary artist’s palette than simply pink.
Sophie’s work, usually featuring all manner of creatures great and small, from scottie dogs to Sgt Pepper Superlambananas, is displayed in various galleries across the North of England. She has produced well received national art for several Wild in Art projects and the London 2012 Olympics, designing three impressive 6ft sculptures of the event’s mascots, one of which was so admired it was stolen from its City Hall, London location.
Sophie, 35, grew up in the countryside of Leicester, but following the accomplishment of her art and graphic design degree at Derby University she moved to Liverpool for love in 2008. After several unfulfilling design jobs, she started her own business. And she has never looked back.
Does being transgender give Sophie a more unique outlook as an artist? “I think it can give a broader perspective on life, which can manifest itself in my work. Accepting yourself as trans and the early stages of transition can zap creativity, but I have come through that and I now have incredible amount of happiness in my life and a new found purpose.
“Being an out trans woman has given me the confidence and determination to fight for trans equality. Seeing other trans people achieve their dreams as doctors, writers and teachers made the world of difference to me. I think visibility and positive engagement is important in empowering lives and changing social attitudes.
“People with gender identity issues can feel very isolated and vulnerable, having the support of good, supportive people is invaluable and I have found many in Liverpool.”
Much of Sophie’s art depicts Liverpool iconography and architecture. Does Sophie draw inspiration from the city? “Definitely. How could you not? In many ways, my life began in Liverpool. It buzzes with character.
“Scousers are interesting because they are interested in everything and everyone. Everyone has an opinion here and everyone loves a good laugh. I laugh every day here. The people are very supportive and I am never short of inspiration.”
But being an artist was not always Sophie’s chosen career “I toyed with other careers. For a long time I wanted to be an archaeologist, digging for bones!” She’s glad that didn’t work out. “Bad for the hair. Disastrous for the nails” she says, with a wink.
Sophie has recently expanded her portfolio, allowing her to explore more personal and dynamic art, including piercing real life portraits and a series of spirited female superhero paintings, entitled ‘Sheroes’.
“I have always been drawn to strong women and there are many empowering female characters in comics, but it was also a commercial decision. I knew it would open my work up to a whole new and intense fan base. I now have a lot of Emo kids as clients, which I love.”
The Sheroes series depicts striking images of popular comic characters such as Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. However Sophie professes a particular affinity with the female counterpart to ‘The Incredible Hulk’ Marvel’s ‘She-Hulk’. “Well, she is another statuesque lady, who can change at will” said Sophie.
Fortunately real life role models, have provided Sophie with even greater inspiration.
Several of Sophie’s trans heroines will form part of Sophie’s forthcoming exhibition. Sophie’s ‘Icons’ series began with an illustration of Liverpool trans Icon April Ashley and will feature other notable transgender pioneers including model, Caroline Cossey, actress Laverne Cox and writer / producer Lana Wachowski.
It’s fitting that we meet Sophie on International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Later that evening Sophie spoke out against transphobia at an event to remember the 1,374 trans people who have been murdered in 60 countries since January 2008. “And that’s just those that have been reported” Sophie adds.
During our interview it becomes clear that helping people through art is key to Sophie’s ambition. When asked about her most rewarding work Sophie shows us a series of illustrations she produced for the NHS to explain operations to children who were about to undergo them, including the repair of cleft palates.
“I am told that my work gives people a sense of well-being and comfort and hospitals need that the most. I am hoping these illustrations will lead to more work with the NHS, particularly with Liverpool’s new Royal Hospital which will have a lot of wall space to fill. The city has given me so much and I would love to give something back in return.”
So what’s next for Sophie Green? “I am considering taking on some additional help with the commercial side of my business, giving me more time to pursue more personal art. Sophie admits this is a decision she has struggled with. “I am the business, so it is difficult to give up even a little control” she said.
“I am planning my next exhibitions for 2014, there’s Threshold Festival to prepare for as well as Homotopia festival who’ll be back after this year’s triumphant 10th anniversary festival. Digital art is becoming a greater focus for me. I would love to work in other mediums too, such as animation and storytelling. There are a lot of exciting opportunities on the horizon.
“I am proud of what I have achieved but I am looking forward to seeing how far I can take my work. I love to challenge myself. My work is evolving, it’s getting stronger and, well, more fierce.”
