Nov 15, 2022 - Dec 10, 2022

Parallel Animals

Maria Roza

In her new exhibition “Parallel Animals” which takes place in Istanbul Concept Gallery between November 15 – December 10 2022, Maria Roza shares her series of compositions -consisting of her imaginative animal figures and much more- with her audience. Maria Roza focuses on the mystical power and respect animals and their depictions were receiving back in ancient times, and how this dynamic has changed over time. While doing that, she tries to stay away from a mechanical and measurable absolute approach by reinventing images of animals with her senses.
Instead of reflecting the shapes and images of animals identically, Maria Roza combines several animals in her mind using their different feats and as an outcome, she creates some surrealistic life forms symbolising nature. While shaping these imagined animal forms and putting them into play with human figures on canvas, the artist is aiming to build subjective tension. This tension is harbouring an almost uncanny experience, yet it is surprising, harmonious and healful.
The animal figures in the paintings of this young artist are impressive despite their unimposing appearance. These paintings do not reveal themselves to the usual, conventional look. With their effectual depth, the images drive the observer's focus beyond the canvas, making them find themselves in a mental space. The lyrical aesthetics and harmony in Maria Roza’s compositions both lure the audience and make them stray away from daily reality.

About Maria Roza
Born in Baku in 1998, lives and works in Ankara. After graduating from the Fine Arts High School of Ankara, she studied at Hacettepe University Painting Department and graduated with a degree. Currently, she is studying in the Master of Fine Arts Program at the same university.
The young artist focuses in her works on the relationship humankind has with animals and primitivity, and on the structural and functional features of these relations. What she aims for is to make her audience feel the uncanny atmosphere in her works and still provide them with a safe harbour by nesting them in the pleasing harmony and aesthetics of the paintings.