The Intersection of Contrasts in the Chaos of the Painter’s Geography-Mahsa Jabari

Mahsa Jabari and Her World

Mahsa Jabari, born in 1990 in Tehran, is one of the emerging young figures in the field of painting. In March of this year, she held her solo exhibition at Gallery 0098 in Tehran. Jabari’s works manifest her personal perceptions of the space she inhabits a space reflected in her paintings through a juxtaposition of vibrant colors and powerful grays. In this collection, colors intertwine and flow alongside dynamic, fluid brushstrokes, as if they are

born from and dissolving into one another. The exhibition's title, brink of upheaval, underscores the connection between beauty and chaos, a concept also emphasized in the exhibition’s statement. Jabari strives to extract beauty not in the absence of chaos but from within it:

"Chaos and beauty are reflections of living in a turbulent geography and a world filled with contradictions." [1]

The Painter’s Geography: Between the Borders of Chaos and Beauty

Jabari’s world is one replete with contradictions contradictions that surface in the very essence of her paintings and are intertwined with the tumultuous geography she inhabits. This geographical context, encompassing the Middle East and its hidden beauties, serves as a source of meaning for her.[2] In part of her exhibition statement, she writes:

"For me, these contradictions are not signs of instability but rather opportunities for contemplation and intuitive understanding of the world around me. I do not perceive beauty in the absence of unrest but rather alongside it in the convergence of crisis and tranquility." [3]

The Confrontation of Contrasts: A Spectacle of Chaos and Beauty

A comprehensive examination of this collection reveals a dynamic interplay between two fundamental concepts: chaos and beauty. Jabari’s paintings lead the viewer’s mind into an enigmatic and ambiguous space. In certain works, the visual weight of colors becomes more pronounced, inducing a subjective inclination in the audience. For instance, the presence of green hues evokes mysterious and dreamlike forests (fig.1). On the other hand, luminous colors, reminiscent of light’s presence, play a crucial role in the paintings’ visual dynamism. However, unlike traditional representations of light, these works lack a defined light source. At times, brightness is concentrated in specific areas, while in other instances, it moves and disperses throughout the composition. This dynamic luminosity results from delicate brushstrokes that imbue the forms with a sense of shimmer and radiance (fig.2).

In some instances, the brushstrokes are arranged in such a way that abstract forms

verge on suggesting tangible imagery. Water currents in certain paintings resemble waterfalls, while brushstrokes depicting a plant emerging from the depths of a swamp indicate a subtle connection between nature and abstraction (fig.3). The juxtaposition of these visual forms not only enhances the viewer’s comprehension of the artist’s concept of contrasts but also adds a perceptual and multi-layered dimension to the works. These forms reflect both the internal and external layers of human existence constantly interacting, influencing, and being influenced by one another.

The Language of Painting: The Boundlessness of Form and Expression

All paintings in this collection remain untitled, except for one, whose naming reflects an internal struggle that has culminated in an eruption of liberated yet structured forms. The layered composition of this piece results from the interplay of opposing forces, giving rise to a world charged with tension.

Mahsa Jabari’s signature does not appear on the surface of her works but rather on the reverse side of the canvases.[4] The absence of a signature on the paintings themselves seems to allude to a collective agency and a global perspective in which she situates herself. her paintings transcend mere representation, surpassing the limitations of tangible forms. In this collection, the vibrant colors and energetic brushstrokes construct a sense of fluid coexistence a coexistence that alludes to the experience of living in a world brimming with contradictions. Through these paintings, Jabari creates a space where chaos and beauty are not in opposition but rather interwoven in a dynamic synthesis.

References:

1. Jabari, mahsa, statement, 2025.

2. Jabari, mahsa, interview with firoozeh saboori, 21 februray 2025.

3. jabari, mahsa, statement, 2025.

4. Jabari, mahsa, interview with firoozeh saboori, 21 februray 2025.

Author: Firoozeh Saboori