Mahsa Merci is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '21

Mahsa Merci, born in 1990 in Tehran, Iran, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Tehran University of Art and a Master of Painting from Azad University in Iran. Currently, she is graduated Master of Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Mahsa Merci is a queer multidisciplinary artist who works in various media and techniques from painting, drawing, sculpture, to photography, installation, and video. Much of her work reflects a focus on marginal identities. From beauty to grotesque, gentleness to harshness, and feminine to masculine, Mahsa brings together a body of work that establishes new definitions of gender, identity, sexuality and redefines the meaning of beauty. Mahsa Merci has exhibited her works in over fifty solo and group exhibitions in the United States, Belgium, Hong Kong, Italy, UAE, Cyprus, Canada, and Iran. Her works are internationally published in various magazines in Iran, the UK, Germany, the United States, Canada and Norway.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

Since I was a child, I have wanted to be an artist; I spent most of my time in my room to did something creative, like making collages, painting, and swinging clothes for my dolls. I attended art classes in the summer when I was a teenager; these classes motivated my creativity to explore more materials and continue doing art. In later years, I went to Art school, learned general requirements, and explored various mediums and technics like printing, drawing, collages, and assemblage. I could remember vividly; I gathered garbages, bird feathers, animal skulls, broken glasses, asphalt, or anything else I thought I could make something with it. After attending art university, I got a BA in Graphic design, an MA in Painting and an MFA from the University of Manitoba.

How would you describe your artistic approach?

My approach depends on the medium with which I work. Generally, I can describe myself as a person who bored very quickly. So, one day I paint and the day after, I do sculpture, photography or making a video. There are many unfinished works in my studio waiting for me, and each day, I work on them depending on my mood.

And how about what inspires you?

My source of inspiration is my subconscious. I set myself as the core of my artistic practice and inspire my inner self, life, dream, and fears. Also, I research the subject matters, including gender, identity, sexuality, beauty content—furthermore, I read about topics around culture, tradition, religion, psychology, society, and politics and their impact on these subjects within the books like ''Gender Trouble'' by Judith Butler and ''Women with Mustaches and Men Without Beards'' by Afsaneh Najmabadi, several queer articles, movies and directors such as David Lynch, Gaspar Noé, Lars von Trier, and Michael Haneke.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

The biggest challenge I have encountered is not repeating myself in my practice. I always like to work in a way that my works are visually and conceptually different, and each piece challenges different layers of the topics mentioned.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

After eating my breakfast at home, I go to my studio around 10 Am. I have several playlists on Spotify and play one depending on my mood at the studio and start working. Sometimes I play podcasts and interviews about art, social and political issues, gender and identity subjects. I eat my lunch, drink black tea, and keep working in the afternoon. Sometimes an idea suddenly sparks on my mind, and I leave everything to sketch it on paper to remember it. Often, I go to galleries, art stores or bazaars in the evening, walk around, and buy some materials for my painting and sculpture. I find many inspiring and exciting objects which I have no idea what I want to make, but I buy and use later. After coming home, I usually watch a movie while eating my dinner and reading a book in bed.

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

I believe each medium has its potential to work with, and I am eager to try various of them; it makes me think about how I can utilize the texture, the medium and what concept comes out of it. Therefore, I use several techniques and mediums, from painting, drawing, sculpture to photography, animation, video and installation. I heartedly want to try performance art, contemporary dance and make a movie. The last one is my oldest wish since I was a kid, I saw myself as a director, and I love to make a long film in my early 40s.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

I am currently working on larger paintings, life scale sculptures and animation for my next solo exhibition.

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

I feel grateful and excited to be selected in ArtConnect to share my ideas and issues with a wider audience. Thank you so much for giving me this great opportunity.

See more of Claudia’s work

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