In the heart of California’s golden morning light, I had the privilege of sitting down with the enigmatic artist, Mona Niko. Her art, a reflection of her Iranian roots and her journey through life, carries within it the intricate dance of light and shadow, the echoes of both ancient and contemporary tales, and the whispers of women’s stories. It was a warm autumn morning, and the leaves painted the world in hues of red and yellow, mirroring the multilayered nature of her work.
Mona’s artistic journey began in the heart of Iran, where she nurtured her passion for visual arts, culminating in a BA degree in painting from AZAD University in Tehran. However, her artistic odyssey took her to the vibrant city of Dubai for twelve transformative years, where she held six solo exhibitions, each brushstroke a testament to her growth. Then, like the migratory birds that grace the California skies, Mona decided to embark on a new chapter in the United States. With a smile that radiated warmth, she confided, “I’ve dreamt of coming to the United States for years. Here, I believed I could find the freedom and opportunities to advance my life and my art. My dreams have indeed come true.”
Mona Niko’s artistic signature lies in her figurative painting style, a canvas that unfolds the complex tapestry of human emotions. With every stroke of her brush, she invites viewers on a journey of visual interpretation, offering a multilayered aesthetic experience. “My artworks,” Mona reveals, “are the embodiment of my dreams and aspirations. Inspiration strikes me through music and the everyday occurrences that surround me. I collect these ideas in the recesses of my mind and then breathe life into them on my canvas. Above all, my art seeks to empower people, particularly women, who share this world with me.”
Initially, Mona embarked on her artistic career as an expressionist, but over time, she ventured into uncharted territory, merging graphic design with traditional painting techniques. This mixed-media approach allows her to craft intricate layers of forms and textures, infusing her art with a dynamic aesthetic allure.
Her paintings are a testament to her pride in her Persian heritage. She explains, “Iran boasts a history spanning thousands of years, and vestiges of its ancient ways still permeate our society.” Mona skillfully employs a modern lens to depict her perspective on the past, the present, and the future. As we gaze at her canvases adorning the walls, she muses, “Within each artwork, there exists an image of a modern woman rooted in the rich tapestry of ancient culture.”
Fashion serves as an essential muse for her creations. When she encounters a striking fashion design, it finds its way into her art. For instance, the bold Louis Vuitton logo adorns the skin of one of her elegant ladies, a fusion of fashion and artistry. Mona even reveals her aspirations to translate her artwork onto garments, further blurring the lines between art and fashion.
Despite the multilayered complexity of her art, Mona Niko herself is a proponent of simplicity. “I’ve always believed in the beauty of simplicity. There’s something extraordinary in its quiet elegance.” In her art and her fashion sense, Mona embodies this philosophy, allowing her work to speak volumes with understated grace.
In the presence of Mona Niko’s creations, one is transported to a world where ancient legacies coexist with contemporary dreams, and where art is a conduit for empowerment and self-expression. Her art mirrors the multilayered beauty of life itself, an ever-evolving masterpiece in progress.
Link to original post: https://bazaarvietnam.vn/nhan-vat/mona-niko-the-real-and-the-imagined/