Andrea Bonfils (b. 1963) is a mixed media artist based in Darien, Connecticut and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bonfils uses a wide range of materials including, found objects, photography and encaustics to create paintings and sculpture that investigate the convergence of nature and humanity. Her works have been exhibited in the Newport Art Museum in Rhode Island and the permanent collection of Museum of Encaustic Art in Sante Fe. In addition she has been featured in a variety of private and corporate collections globally including Tiffany & Co., Meyers Jabara Hotels, Fields Development Corporation USA, 1 Hotel and Merx Aviation. Andrea has completed over 80 commissions and presented in numerous solo and group shows.
In 1985 Andrea received her Masters degree in clinical social work. After a long career in administration, Bonfils pivoted into a career in Fine Art 20 years ago. Informed by her knowledge of community, humanity and her love of nature, Bonfils’ art is a composite of all these experiences. In the end her work is a symbiosis of life itself. Much like her love for outdoor adventure Andrea is unafraid to explore a variety of materials and tools including a blow torch, irons, encaustics, photography, resin and found objects. Bonfils’ techniques give way to a vision that is intense, ethereal, fantastical and contemplative. Earthy reverence is consistently present in her work from the use of beeswax to her dramatic photographs of wild animals or Submerged Gardens.
Andrea encourages her viewers to touch her highly textured encaustics. The body’s relationship and variable perspectives to these materials continually evolves. When establishing the connection between humanity and nature in her work, Bonfils draws upon her background in community organization and therapy where she developed an appreciation for the human experience. She is always seeking out new ways to unite, explore, and ultimately dig deeper into the meaning and conditions of life.
Select Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibitions
Botanical Refraction, Isabella Garrucho Fine Art, Greenwich, CT 2018
Plunge, Bruce Lurie Gallery, LA, CA, 2017
Muse Gallery, Hilton Head SC, 2017
Natures Way - InArt Santa Fe Gallery, NM, 2014
Beyond Deep - Anelle Gandelman Fine Art, NY, 2012
Waxing Poetic - Anelle Gandelman Fine Art, NY, 2010
The Stone House, RI, 2009
New Encaustics - Anelle Gandelman Fine Art, NY, 2008
Water Views - Mead Gallery, CT, 1999
Group Exhibitions
Museum of Encaustic Art. 50 States Permanent collection, 2019
Photo Summer, Isabella Garrucho Fine Art, Greenwich, CT 2019
IN REPOSE, Evoke Contemporary Gallery, SF, NM, 2018
Watercourse Way, Evoke Contemporary Gallery, SF, NM, 2017
Show House, Santa Fe Benefit, New Mexico, 2015, 2016
Gateway to Imagination - Farmington Museum, NM, 2012
Greenwich Art to the Avenue, featured in Serendipity Magazine, CT, 2012
Featured Artist - 49th & 50th Anniversary CCNS Art Show, CT, 2011, 2012
Best in Show, Memory Maps, Newport Art Museum, 2011
Summer Selects - Susan Eley Fine Art, NYC, 2010
CCBF Auction, Sotheby's, NYC, 2009, 2010
Uncommon Ground, Anelle Gandelman Fine Art, 2009
Artspace CWOS CONNcentric, Juror, Liza Statton, CT, 2008
CCBF Auction, Phillips de Pury and Company, NYC, 2008
Select Collections, Commissions
Vlade and Ana Divac, Serbia
Tiffany's & Co., London (3 storefronts)
Manchester and Bank Street and Royal Exchange, London
Lupe and Jose Antonio Rivero, Compania Minera Autlan, Mexico
Jason and Jayne Hyrdlicka, Jetstar, Australia
Christine and Micheal Kruyt, The Netherlands
Maria de Lourdes Borges, Brazil
Forster and Thomas, Portugal
Antoinette and Jerry Silvey, Starwood Capital, CT, NM, FL
Darien Country Club, CT
Delamar Hotel, CT
Hilton Head Health Resort and Spa, SC
Jessica Flemming, Jessie James, NYC
Meyers Jabara Hotels, USA
Museum of Encaustic Art, Permanent Collection, SF, NM
Miller & Long, Development Co, DC
Jim Caufield, Fields Development Corporation, USA
Jan Kniffen, Chairman Bruce Museum and Kathleen Metinko, CT
Comet Productions, NYC
Selectman Jayme and John Stevenson, CT
Hahn Architects, NYC
Huelster Design Studio, CT
Jetavicon Partners,CT, NYC
Third Coast Capital, TX
Vertrue Corporation, CT
Andrew and Sydney Davis, NYC, NM
Stamford Hospital, CT
Push Fitness, NY
Merx Aviation, NYC
Four Seasons Rancho Encantando, NM
Prull Custom Builders, NM
Plaza Condominiums, NYC
The Blake Hotel, Taos Ski Valley, NM
Eliane Cordia Van Reesema, Curator Triton Foundation
Press
Coastal Living Magazine, 2006
Yale Daily News, 2008
Westchester Cottages and Gardens, 2008
Providence Business News, Home, Stone House, 2009
The Providence Journal, Stone House, 2009
American Art Collector, 2009
BetterTV National Syndication, 2011
New Canaan, Darien, Rowayton Magazine,"Local Color," 2011
Greenwich Times, 2011
Professional Artist Magazine, feature, 2012
Serendipity, 2012
Santa Fean Magazine, 2014
Debbi Nigro Show, 2015
Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2016
At Home 2016, 2017UNITY Magazine (Sustainability) 2017
BlueWave Magazine, Cover Feature, 2016
LOCALE LA 2017
CODA WORX Magazine Feature Award 2018, 2019
Cowboys and Indians Magazine, 2019
NY Times Arts Section, April 2019
New England Home, 2014, 2015, 2020
Su Casa Magazine, 2021
Online
ARTSY 2018-2021
Artnet 2008-21
1st Dibs, 2018-21
News.Yahoo and News Guide.US, CCBF Sotheby's, 2009
Visit Rhode Island, Stone House, 2009
ARTINFO, 2008
ArtDaily, 2008
Access World News, 2006
Education
The Aldrich Museum Professional Program
Boston University, MSW
University of Hartford, BS, BSW
Representation
Isabella Garrucho Fine Art, CT
Insight Artspace Gallery
Other
Juror, Stamford Photography Club, 2019
Advisor, Darien Art Odyssey, 2018-21
Juror, Darien Alumni Art Show, 2021
Awards
2019 Worldwide Photography Gala Awards, 12 Annual Margaret Cameron Award, Professional Section, Landscapes and Seascapes
2018, CODA Worx Magazine feature Award, Transformative Walls, Submerged Garden Series
2017, Winner American Art Awards, Manipulated Photography, juried by America's 25 Best Galleries & Museums
2014 DAC Honorable Mention, Juror Larissa Baliff, Museum of Modern Art
2013 Award of excellence, Art that Lifts our Spirits, Jill Conner, Art Critic/Curator
2012 Winner Greenwich Serendipity Magazine Award, 6 Jurors including Lee Milazzo, Samuel Owen Gallery
2011 Best in Show, Memory Maps, Juror Frank Poor, Newport Art Museum
2010 Best in Painting, Healing Power of Art, Juror - Joanie San Chirico, Founder of Professional Fine Art Network
2009 Best in Painting, Her Story, Juror - Janice Sands, Executive Director of Pen and Brush, NYC
2008 Award of Merit, Healing Power of Art, Juror - Edward Rubin, writer for Artnews and Contemporary Art
2007 Award for Outstanding Artistic Merit, Juror - Renee Phillips, Director, Manhattan Arts International
The Ana Divac Show, You Tube