Republished: Into The World of Instagram Star, Sophie Tea

This article was originally written and published for Seen in The City, London

“It’s all about people for me…and the stories behind them.”

As I entered the striking ME Hotel, I was immediately swept into the thrill of the world that is Sophie Tea. Sophie’s exhibit of her latest collection, Hearts, is a visually striking collection of its namesake, laced with prolific variety. I encountered neon colours, energized sprays of paint, inventive display techniques, and yet, an underlying warmth. True to all of Sophie’s globally sought-after artwork, the message within her pieces runs rich. 

Sitting with Sophie Tea’s work, I related to the innate command for love. Like the compliments that inspired the collection, Hearts will move you to live with more compassion for those around you, and too often neglected, the pieces of the Hearts collection will inspire compassion for one’s self. Through the liberation of her enchanting style, Sophie presents her latest collection to communicate the eternal nature of love with each observer. 

I can only imagine that owning and displaying one of the pieces from the Hearts collection in your own space would feel like holding a rose quartz stone in hand. Her work attracts heart-filling energy that speaks for its own.

The conception of the collection involved global participation from her flourishing Instagram community. Sophie does not utilise her Instagram solely as a platform for sharing her work, but rather, Sophie is famous for speaking with her well over 200 thousand followers and involving her fans in her work. 

During lockdown, Sophie Tea took to her IG account to ask for some help from her trusted community. Sophie asked anyone willing to prepare a statement of self-love and to share them with her via DM’s. To Sophie’s delight, she received an outpour of support and moving stories.

“I’ve now realised the value of self discovery…” Sophie said about the comments she received. 

 The sentences that resonated with Sophie the most were tacked up, and she began to paint. “A collection of 20 takes me around a week…I’m very quick.” 

When Sophie is working on a collection she often jumps amongst her pieces, although nearly always completes whatever she starts. Speaking on her painting process, Sophie said it goes something like, “I’m bored of you, next. I’m bored of you, next.” She is an artist that paints when she feels it. And her work makes that very apparent. 

Some of Tea’s Hearts collection paintings include the neutral and light-toned, “I am ready to accept my dreams into reality”, and the black and neon, “Out of the Darkness.”

Sophie’s pieces are iconically available in payment instalments. The largest original paintings in her Hearts collection begin with a 250 pound deposit, and then are available to be paid off with her 12-month payment plan. This form of payment for fine art is unique to Sophie Tea and has contributed to her message that art should be accessible. Like the Hearts collection reminds us, Sophie works to remind her audience the importance of compassion and community. 

“There are so many people who message me and say ‘thank you so much for your artwork…” It’s so nice to hear that,” Sophie told me. 

Dressed in a stunning gold set with blue feathered arms, Sophie was thrilled to embody the message of being comfortable in one’s own skin. In her quintessentially fun outfit, Tea spoke of her collection with a bright smile and the contagious conviction for self-love. 

To purchase one of Sophie Tea’s iconic pieces from Hearts, or any of her other original or printed works, head to www.sophieteaart.com