Sonu Sultania

Short Biography

Sonu holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honors from the University of Calcutta and a Diploma in Corporate Secretary from the Compliance Institute of Company Secretaries of India, qualifications that underpinned a career in company law before she turned to art. Since 2013, she has built one of the most active exhibition records among Dubai-based artists, showing work consistently at World Art Dubai, Tashkeel, and major UAE venues, as well as internationally at Fabriano in Acquarello in Italy across 2017, 2018, and 2019. Her solo exhibition 'Inhale Exhale', represented by FN Designs Gallery at Alserkal Avenue, was held in 2023. She has received multiple awards and nominations, including first place at the Noon Art Awards presented by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, second place at the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Art Festival in 2022, and wins at the Clyde and Co MENA Art Awards and the Kobo Art Competition in 2019.

Education

Sonu holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honors from the University of Calcutta (2004) and a Diploma in Corporate Secretary from the Compliance Institute of Company Secretaries of India (2005). Her artistic development has been self-directed.

Exhibitions

Sonu's solo exhibition history includes 'Inhale Exhale' at FN Designs Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai (2023) and a solo presentation at World Art Dubai (2023). Her extensive group exhibition record spans over a decade and includes 'Abstract Universe' at Art Smiley Gallery (2025); 'Made in Tashkeel' at Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba (2023 and 2024); 'Merely Random', an immersive digital exhibition at Art in Space Gallery (2024); DIFC Art Nights, World Art Dubai, 'Philosophy of Food' at Tashkeel, the Indian Pavilion Exhibition at Expo City, Ras Al Khaimah Fine Art Festival, and the New Media Section with Morrow Collective at Art Dubai (all 2022); World Art Dubai and 'Women in Art' at Gallery Arabesque, DIFC (2019 and 2020 and 2021); Fabriano in Acquarello in Fabriano, Italy (2017, 2018, and 2019); 'Sandscapes' at Sikka Art Festival, 'After the Rain' at Noon Gallery, 'Common Ground' at The Cube DIFC, 'Sheroes' at Funun Arts, and 'Play' at Tashkeel (all 2019); and numerous group shows across Dubai and Abu Dhabi from 2013 onwards, including exhibitions at Tashkeel, Studio Seven Gallery, DUCTAC, Nest Dubai, Vantage Point Sharjah, the Rashid Centre for Disabled, and Gallery 76 at Dubai International Art Centre.

Awards

Sonu has received significant recognition across her career. Her awards include second place at the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Art Festival (2022), first place at the Noon Art Awards presented by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi (2019), winner of the Clyde and Co MENA Art Awards (2019), winner of the Kobo Art Competition (2019), winner of the Dubai Through My Eyes award at World Art Dubai (2018), and winner of the Cultural Diversity Competition (2018). She was also named Top 10 Emerging Artist of the Year by Rove Hotels and World Art Dubai (2020), Emerging Artist of the Month by Elevision Media (2020), and received the Art Mentor Award presented by His Excellency Suhail Al Zarooni (2020). She received nominations for the Emerging Scene Art Prize in both 2020 and 2021.

Artistic Style

Sonu works across multiple mediums, with Alcohol Ink as a central focus alongside watercolor, mixed media, and digital work. Her practice is semi-abstract, building vibrant compositions that carry emotional and narrative weight through color, form, and texture. Her works often emerge as what she describes as therapeutic landscapes, reflecting inner experience alongside the cultural influences gathered through travel. Rather than providing conclusions, her practice opens spaces for reflection, using art as a vessel for both personal and collective meaning and seeking connection with viewers on a level beyond the purely aesthetic.