artist statement:
influences:
I am inherently informed by and drawn to interpret nature. My painting and works on paper are focused primarily on the continuum that is common to all living things; my fascination with and investigation of, nature’s universal struggle to survive. As I explored this theme, I have become increasingly aware of our sensitive ecosystem and felt concern about our diminished environment; about what might come in the near and distant future.
After reading Joseph Beuys’s biography, I became intrigued with the early 20th century author Rudolf Steiner and his lectures on bees and hives, a subject that influenced Beuys early in his career. I incorporated the hives’ hexagon, a common universal pattern, to symbolize connectedness and order amid the chaos of nature. Another German artist, Gerhard Richter and specifically his portraits further inspired me to investigate my personal history.
methodology:
These investigations led to the series: “Roots of Thinking” and “Deutschland Family.” Both deal with questions about connectivity and disconnects. To get a more holistic perspective of my personal investigation, I did not edit out any of the work since these paintings seen all together represent a kind of visual journaling and thought process which I hope will inform my work going forward.
My stylistic approach demonstrates a direct boldness and physicality, even when conveying minute details of nature. I like working large and spontaneously, which I feel is a direct, personal extension of me. I strive to convey my inner voice and soul into my paintings, exploring the connection between the spiritual and the real, between nature and culture to investigate, on a deeper level the mystery of life. In the Roots of Thinking series, the paintings of snarled mangrove roots and reflections on the water were initially somewhat somber and muted. Now, my use of brighter, vibrant colors expresses a growing awareness of my light-hearted spirituality and the joy in my life.
biography:
Born soon after the end of World War II in Dusseldorf, Germany Mally (Breuer) Khorasantchi discovered her lifelong love of drawing and painting as a young child. She studied with several noted professional German artists who nurtured her artistic development and by the 1990s she had two solo exhibitions in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Mally immigrated to the United States in 1992, became a Florida resident and in 2006 became an American citizen. She traveled extensively through the US, and was captivated by its wild, unspoiled natural landscape, so different from the overcrowded Europe of her youth.