Painted by Sonja van Kerkhoff

I've painted since I was 15 and like drawing, often I use this as a way of working out a story or script which might end up being realised in a different medium. There's always some narrative element in my paintings such as "Self portrait as a bottled peach" (1990), which is a response to the objectification and stereotyping of women. I also use painting as a medium for objects such as in "The Anatomy Lesson" (1998) or "Inspiration" (2001).

Thumbnails of most paintings


Birds Speak Everyday / Ka Kōrero Māori Nga Manu, 2023, acrylic on canvas + mixed media
Just outside the picture ... (thinking of Joanna Margaret Paul) He poutama ki waho, 2020, triptych
Meditation, outdoor painting, 2018
Coloured Portaits (the feminist), wooden triptych painting, 2018
Coloured Portaits (the teacher), wooden triptych painting, 2018
Art for Orientation, 2012/13, Rotorua Arts project - to the blog about this

Gaia's Pillow, 2012, stencil print painting, made with Sen McGlinn
Tomorrow Looks Back (Time Rolls out), 2012, stencil print painting, made with Sen McGlinn
Riddle, 2012, stencil print with paint on shirt, made with Sen McGlinn
Unravelling the golden mean, 2012, stencil print with paint on a sock, made with Sen McGlinn

Observation, 2004, acrylic on canvas.

Inspiration, 2001-2, shaped canvas and cotton forms.

The Anatomy Lesson, 1999, painted cloth shirt.

Apocalypse with four worlds, 1998, painted with the use of a computer. Edition of 20.
Apocalypse with five worlds, 1998, painted on a computer. Edition of 20.

Pointer, 1995, painting on cotton.

Maori related prints and paintings, 1988-93, paintings, silkscreen prints and etchings.

Eva was Hier | Eve was here, 1992, painted softboard + rope with pencilled text.
Redesigning the Apple, 1991, ink, acrylic and ribbon on paper, text engraved frame.
That extreme egoism, 1991, canvas, tar, painted metal.

On The Face of the Waters, 1990, acrylic on canvas.
Found Objects, 1990, acrylic on canvas.
First Step, 1990, acrylic on canvas.

Self portrait as a bottled peach, 1989, acrylic on canvas.
He maatua, 1989, acrylic on canvas and paper.
Superwoman takes a rest, 1989, acrylic on paper.
Terms of Reference, 1989, acrylic on paper.
Ae, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata, 1989, acrylic on paper.
In the woods, 1989, acrylic on paper.
Greetings Mother, 1989, acrylic on paper.

The Hearts Series, 1986 - 1989, acrylic on paper.

Walking Home alone, 1989, acrylic on paper.