Sofia Olexia-Daigle Email & Phone Number

My name is Sofia Olexia-Daigle. I am a woman who strives for women of all backgrounds to be loved and consider themselves as a work of art. My identity and gender are significant to me as a person. I make art as an opportunity for self-expression. It’s a process of inquiring, examining, and digesting everyday interactions and translating those experiences into something tangible to share with the world. I have a deep appreciation for women and the environment. Much of my work centers on women's strengths and challenges as mothers, daughters, professionals, and caregivers and the societal barriers they face. In my work, I include women of all backgrounds, regardless of race, body shape, or identity. As a Louisiana native and a coastal restoration-focused high school graduate, I’m inspired by the natural environment and incorporate wetlands and wildlife elements into select works. A large body of my work is presented as ceramic doll forms with distinct characteristics and designs that describe their story. My work often explores mixing mediums like glitter, acrylic, pen, ink, and marker on top of the clay to add depth to the story I’m trying to share. For example, I may use gold glitter to enhance a deity-like crown or robe on a figure. These accents incorporate the historical color usage seen in religious art and highlight the balance of a woman’s strength and grace. I also enjoy mixing different mediums to add whimsical touches to the doll’s dress, like adding some sparkly mushrooms or frogs to a magical swamp themed figure..My pieces regularly contain cultural representations to celebrate women’s customs and traditions and where they play in the story told on their dress.My ultimate goal is for others to see themselves in my pieces, especially my dolls. It warms my soul to have families come to my table and identify sculptures in the gallery that looks like them.