Raised on the coast, Sonia Shomalzadeh was drawn to spending as much time as possible outdoors in nature. Currently making art inspired by wildlife and highlighting biodiversity loss.


Sonia has been recognized for her large scale drawings on island beaches, at conservation charity events and at climate conferences.

  • Internship with Marine Conservation Research (MCR) studying Marine Mammals in the Azores. Funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) 2012

    Artist Residency at the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW), Holden Forest, Devon 2011

  • Young Marine Artist Award The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights 2012

    Scholarship for Fine Art Painting The Fishmongers Company 2010

    Bursary in Painting Painter-Stainers’ 2009

    Travel Prize for Art Phillip Connard 2009

    Painting Scholarship The Savoy Charitable Trust 2008

  • MA Art & Environment Falmouth University 2011

    Short Course UK Cape Farewell, Eden Project & Research in Art, Nature & Environment (RANE) 2011

    BA(Hons) 1st Class Fine Art: Painting City & Guilds of London Art School 2010