Sidonie
Mulhouse
In creating this artwork comprised of seven canvases, each measuring 150 x 150 cm (59 x 59 in), I meticulously selected a blend of Swedish linen and cotton, carefully adjusting the proportions of each material in varying combinations. Three canvases consist solely of cotton, while one is entirely linen. The remaining three canvases serve as linking elements, dictating whether linen or cotton occupies their right or left side. I further enhanced these canvases by painting diverse elements on each, resulting in a collective piece reminiscent of a puzzle coming together.
This project is not about a continuous flow but rather about coexisting distinct elements, mirroring the complexity of today's world with its myriad migration movements and intercultural intersections. Through this series, I decided to zoom into the style of painting I practiced in the past.
Crucial to my artistic exploration is the speculation of paintings' capacity to stretch and inhabit a space. The dynamic interplay of elements, the positioning of frames in space, and the rhythm between them collectively construct steps in both time and space.
My artistic inspiration stems from urban fragments, particularly the corners of streets that resonated with a message or experience. For instance, during my time in Mulhouse, I encountered the word "Sidonia" written on a wall, and it became a central motif in the work I produced there. This name encapsulates my position—caught between the mother of the writer Sidonie Colette and Sidonia, the daughter of Romanian Gypsies.
In both my writing and painting, repetition plays a significant role. I am drawn to the echo it creates, symbolizing my presence and an underlying obsession with specific words, images, or items—what I would describe as my artistic weakness. This approach extends to the use of neon letters and snippets of phrases, names, or concealed messages that appear on some canvases, further enriching the multifaceted layers of my artistic expression.
The entire series has been shown in the big gallery of Haute école des arts du Rhin de Mulhouse, France in 2016.
