Brighton-based artist Soma Bognar is known for paintings which capture the world through a comforting yet grotesque lens. Having studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as a harp player, Soma draws inspiration from the harmony, rhythm and structured layers of classical music. Transitioning from his career as a professional musician, he has redirected his creative energies towards painting, intrigued by the prospect of depicting raw, subconscious imagery. His work has been included in several group exhibitions, including the 2023 Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition and are held in private collections in the UK, Europe and USA.
Soma's paintings deal with impermanence and struggles around self-identity. They invite the observer to think about what it means to be human. His style has been impacted by a range of inspirations including Post Impressionism, Folk Art, books and music. During his process, dreams are layered on top of each other, creating a riot of figure, pattern, abstract shapes and hue, in a palette that is dominated by vivid and contrasting colours.