Sonja’s current exhibition finds it’s expression in oil on canvas. A lively, energetic rendition of old school film cameras gives us a playful peek into icons of a bygone era where film photography captured the world slowly, spontaneously and with whimsical imperfection. Inspired by vintage cameras, the evocative red glow of the darkroom, and the rough, playful vignettes of the lomographic era, this collection geeks out on all the nerdy details that define the nostalgia of a time when capturing the world around us carried the label, “no batteries required”.

“No Batteries Required”
Oil on canvas
152×122

All the feels come rushing in when you hold her copper – aluminium, silicon alloy body. She’s rugged and durable with bomb proof reliability – what more could you want to hold in your hands to capture a thing? Born in ‘82 she boasted a whopping 4000th of a second shutter speed with her her vertical travel titanium shutter blades. Elegant, Rugged, Legendary.
No batteries required.

“Delightometer”
Oil on Canvas
152×122

“Clap! Shhh … click plop!”
Visceral ASMR sounds that trigger the senses and transports you to a bygone era where breath submits to Slow and Steady.The buttery whisper of almost silent leaf shutters open and close to expose the world. The Hasselblad 500c is the most beautiful camera I have ever held. Design and engineering that embodies precision, elegance and simplicity.
Some would say she is the crowning centerpiece of Photographic history.

People turn to look when refined elegance walks into the room. Discreetly slipped into your pocket so you can sneak up to the action, the Leica M6 sets the stage for an intimate connection with your subject. The rangefinder view lets you in on the action beyond the frame so no moment is lost.
Iconic.
Favoured.
Timeless.

This beast of a box dominated professional photography of the 80s era where the Peak of Glam Metal and hard rock influenced fashion and design with it’s bold, flashy neon flare. The ultimate “get the job done every single time” dream machine.

Introducing the ultimate ‘tool of whimsy’ from the plastic toy camera era of the 1980’s: The Holga 120N. She’s fun and fancy free defined by her ‘no rules’ and ‘shoot from the hip’ aesthetic. Dreamy, soft focus captures with super cool corner vignettes and psychedelic light leaks makes her the favourite ride or die lomography geek machine.

The teeniest of tiny cameras, the Rollie 35 measured in at only 42x64mm, making it’s debut in 1966 as the ‘smallest full frame camera in the world’. A personal favourite of Queen Elizabeth II, who’s personalised leather lizard body and 24 karat gold plated edition splashed across the pages of tabloids in the 60’s and 70’s as she used it at public horse races and royal tours. Dynamite comes in small packages.

While she’s dubbed “the beast” boasting her hefty brass and aluminum body she still swings easily by your side as you grip that sublimely tactile cherrywood handle. But don’t be fooled by her rugged appearance. When that mirror flies up with a resounding clack! Don’t forget she likes to be held carefully and silently still.