Amelia Sonnekus is a visual artist based in the leafy Perth Hills of Western Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Information Design from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. 

Her early career included work and lecturing in advertising and graphic design, alongside freelancing as an illustrator. It was only after immigrating to Australia and raising her four boys that she began to pursue a career as a visual artist.

Amelia’s background in graphic design continues to influence her practice, enriching her illustrations and informing her visual art. Her work is distinguished by expressive mark making, vivid—often unfiltered—colour, and a distinctive approach to layering. 

Doodles, scratches, lines, and shapes frequently appear in both her physical and digital pieces, whether painting, illustration, or collage. Hand stitching and machine embroidery often add further depth to her layered explorations of neurodiversity, emotion, environment, faith, connection, and a life lived less orderly.

MEMBERSHIPS

• ArtSource

• Illustrators Australia https://www.illustratorsaustralia.com/portfolios/amelia-sonnekus/

• SCBWI - Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators

https://www.scbwi.org/members/amelia-sonnekus

QUALIFICATIONS

2024 CUADIG415 iPad Drawing Skill Set, North Metropolitan TAFE

2017 Diploma of Community Services, North Metropolitan TAFE

1992 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Information Design), University of Pretoria  

AWARDS

1989 University of Pretoria, Arts and Culture Awards - 1st Prize, Fine Arts Category

1990 First Paper House Art of Design - Biennial National Design Awards - 1st Prize, Student Category

1992 First Paper House Art of Design - Biennial National Design Awards – 2nd Prize, Student Category

EXHIBITIONS

2024 Darlington Arts Festival - Open Art, Darlington

2023 Darlington Arts Festival - Open Art, Darlington

2023 Face to Face - Ellis House

2023 Gosnells Community Art Awards

2022 Darlington Arts Festival - Open Art, Darlington

2022 Ellis House Members Spring Exhibition

2021 Bayswater Community Art Awards

2021 Darlington Arts Festival - Open Art, Darlington

2021 The Second Best Time Is Now – Mundaring Arts Centre

2020 Darlington Arts Festival – Invitation Only

2020 Stories From Home - Mundaring Art Centre

2019 Place and Space - Acquisition Exhibition, Mundaring Art Centre

2018 Darlington Arts Festival - Open Art, Darlington

2018 In Full Bloom - Midland Junction Art Centre, City of Swan

2013 Celebrating Women - Fossick Handmade, Kalgoorlie

COLLABORATIONS & MORE

2024 One of three judges for an "Open Call" NFT competition on HUG (.ART)

2021-22 Art Journal projects with peers, Jane Button, Louise Cook and Marie Haass,

2017 Collaborated with Paul Sonnekus, creating sculptures:

‘Only Time Will Tell’, Ellenbrook Open Art Award Exhibition

‘Mad Magpie’, exhibited and sold at Nest Gallery, Darlington.

2012 Kalgoorlie Race Round Community Art Project: Painted Umbrellas