London Art Scene: My Journey as an Iranian Artist in the UK
24/05/2025
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Floral expressionism is a timeless art form that transcends centuries and cultures. It finds its expression in various mediums such as oil paint, watercolor, and textiles, with each brushstroke celebrating the richness of nature’s language. In my studio, I cannot resist its charm. Why I Paint Flowers Again and Again is not just a question, but an irresistible invitation.
Every flower holds its own story: delicate yet strong, fleeting yet captured forever in color. Whether wild or cultivated, their shapes exude a poetic beauty that evokes memories and desires. My scarves and floral oil paintings are infused with this energy, where every petal represents a stroke of feeling and every blossom symbolizes transient beauty.
Here are some reasons why I am drawn to painting flowers repeatedly:
In every canvas or silk scarf, floral expressionism breathes with vitality. This is why I keep coming back: to experience awe once more with every blossom I depict.
Flowers are more than just beautiful objects; they carry deep meanings and emotions that can be understood across different cultures and time periods. Each flower has its own story to tell, representing the cycles of life and the complexities of human feelings. Just like our lives, flowers go through stages of growth, beauty, and eventually decay.
Roses, with their soft petals and sharp thorns, symbolize intense love and desire. Lilies, often associated with purity and new beginnings, evoke a sense of calm beauty. In contrast, chrysanthemums hold meanings of longevity and joy in Asian cultures.
By revisiting floral subjects, artists can explore various artistic elements such as shape, color, and composition. This allows them to experiment with different techniques, like playing with light and shadow or creating rhythmic patterns using flower petals. Through this process of repeated practice, artists not only improve their technical abilities but also find new ways to express emotions.
Floral imagery becomes a powerful way to convey personal or cultural stories. For example, a single flower can represent the legacy of mothers in a family, honoring the strength and resilience passed down through generations. It can also celebrate the often unnoticed work that goes into maintaining the beauty of everyday life.
Artists like Shadi Mahsa use these symbols to create visual poems that resonate deeply with viewers. Through their artwork, they invite us into a world where each petal tells a story and every bloom holds an emotion.
The rich tapestry of Persian art and philosophy weaves itself through my contemporary floral works. Intricate patterns, vibrant hues, and the symbolic significance of flora in Persian culture provide a fertile ground for my creativity. The delicate balance between chaos and order in traditional Persian designs mirrors the natural fractals found in flowers, inspiring compositions that are both harmonious and dynamic.
The influence of ukiyo-e, the iconic Japanese woodblock prints, is evident in my approach to color and composition. Ukiyo-e’s bold use of flat planes, striking contrasts, and meticulous attention to detail offers endless inspiration. The serene beauty captured in these prints resonates deeply with my desire to evoke emotion through floral imagery, transforming each petal into a vivid narrative.
Monet’s water lily series stands as a testament to the power of repeated botanical focus. His dedication to capturing the ephemeral beauty of water lilies across different times of day and seasons showcases the endless possibilities within a single subject. This relentless pursuit parallels my journey, where each flower painted is an exploration of light, shadow, and emotion. Impressionism’s emphasis on capturing moments of fleeting beauty aligns perfectly with the essence of floral expressionism in my work.
These diverse influences converge to create a unique blend that defines my floral artistic journey—a fusion of tradition and modernity that breathes life into every canvas.
Shadi Mahsa, artist, comes from,m a long line of Persian artists. Her work is influenced by the vibrant streets of Tehran and further developed through her Master’s degree in Fine Art at Chelsea University of Art in London. This combination of old traditions and new ideas is evident in every stroke of her brush, as she creates a conversation between the memories of her ancestors and her contemporary perspective.
Chaos theory in art becomes a living language within her floral motifs. Each petal spirals in fractal repetition, echoing the self-similar patterns found in nature’s design—veins in leaves, ripples on water, the unfurling geometry of a rose. Inspired by chaos theory’s poetic unpredictability, these flowers are never static; they breathe, shift, and multiply across canvas and silk alike.
Traditional Persian motifs—arabesques, intricate latticework, luminous color fields—find new resonance when threaded through nature-inspired art. In Mahsa’s scarf series, like the Spring Bloom Scarf and Summer Radiance Scarf, as well as her vivid floral oil paintings, ancient forms bloom with contemporary vibrancy. Ornamental flourishes dissolve into abstract movement; centuries-old patterns are reborn amidst drifts of ultramarine and bursts of saffron yellow.
The question Why I Paint Flowers Again and Again becomes not only a personal inquiry but an invitation to witness the seamless fusion of heritage and innovation that defines Shadi Mahsa’s artistic world. Her floral art collection, which captures the beauty of flowers in their full glory, serves as a testament to this harmonious blend.
Each time the artist paints a flower on canvas, it becomes an opportunity to break free from conventional expectations of form and color. In the world of abstract flower painting, repetition serves as a transformative process, where petals lose their specific shapes and become pure sensations, stems curve into graceful lines, and blossoms burst forth in colors that can only be imagined. By repeatedly painting flowers, artists create a space for experimentation, allowing bold brushstrokes and vibrant pigments to take precedence over botanical accuracy.
Through this artistic journey, floral composition variations come to life—each artwork becoming a unique exploration of movement, space, and color interaction. Sometimes the subject matter strays far from reality: a single stem floating in an ocean of turquoise; an invented orchid flickering at the edge of abstraction. While shapes may repeat, they never truly replicate; each iteration unveils new dimensions previously unnoticed, a harmony between clashing tones.
The painted flower thus evolves into more than just a symbol; it becomes a dynamic language with its own set of rules that are reshaped with every canvas. Repetition—far from being monotonous—opens up endless possibilities, allowing both the artist and the viewer to uncover fresh perspectives within familiar blooms.
Take, for instance, this abstract flower painting that embodies this exploration. The artist has captured the timeless elegance of flowers expressively, using acrylic and mixed media on canvas for a rich, textured finish.
Painting flowers has become a calming and creative activity during the pandemic lockdown. With every brushstroke, we find tranquility, allowing our minds to relax and appreciate the intricate designs of nature. This daily practice becomes a personal escape, providing relief from the anxiety of uncertain times. The bright colors and delicate shapes remind us of life’s strength and beauty, bringing happiness into our daily lives. In these tough moments, floral painting is more than just an art form—it’s a source of peace and optimism.
In the world of contemporary interior design, vibrant floral oil paintings are captivating with their ability to transform spaces into places of emotion and beauty. These artworks, often large, serve as striking focal points that fill rooms with life and energy.
The appeal of original floral wall art lies not only in its visual charm but also in its availability to many. Affordable floral paintings in London make it possible for a wide range of art enthusiasts to decorate their homes with unique, expressive pieces. This opening up of art allows individuals from various backgrounds to experience the joy and inspiration that these works bring.
My artistic journey is closely linked with my various collections, from large wall art to detailed scarf designs. Each piece, whether a bold floral canvas or a delicate fabric print, reflects my enduring fascination with flowers. The recurring theme across different forms highlights my exploration of nature’s patterns and the emotional impact of blooms.
The constant repetition in painting flowers is a tribute to their timeless beauty and the endless variations they offer. This practice not only deepens my artistic expression but also creates a smooth connection between my floral oil paintings and other artistic projects, fostering a unified story that celebrates the magnificence of nature.
Experience the transformative power of floral art, where each brushstroke tells a story of elegance and passion. Discover more about how floral art transforms walls into vibrant landscapes, bridging city life with nature’s beauty and enhancing mental well-being.
