Mahsa Merci
From GAZE series L, 2023
Oil on Canvas
5.00 x 7.00 cm
Unique
Marsa Merci’s ongoing series of small eye paintings delves into the intimate and powerful connection between identity, perception, and the unspoken stories that a gaze can convey. Each eye is painted in life-size proportions, reflecting the physical reality of human interaction and emphasizing the immediacy and relatability of the gaze. The decision to maintain a true-to-life scale invites viewers to confront these works not as abstract representations but as direct, intimate encounters with another’s perspective.
The “silent narratives” of each gaze emerge through their intricate details: the subtleties of makeup, the softness or sharpness of expression, and the nuanced brushstrokes that shape them. These narratives hold stories of vulnerability, strength, defiance, or allure—emotions that are often felt but left unsaid. In isolating the eye, I aim to explore the depth of what a single gaze can communicate, bridging the internal world of the subject with the external perception of the viewer.
This series reflects on how we see and are seen, questioning the fluidity of identity and the layers of meaning embedded in every glance. By focusing on life-size eyes, the work becomes an invitation to connect on a deeply human level, asking the viewer to consider the complexity of emotion, identity, and beauty within the seemingly simple act of looking.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Mahsa Merci holds an MFA from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. Mahsa is a queer artist whose work spans various media, with a focus on painting and sculpture. In her
work, Mahsa aims to capture the unique queer journeys of individuals, from the moment of self-realization to navigating the myriad challenges of acceptance and self-expression. Central to her exploration is the duality of identity - the interplay between public personas. and private struggles, and the conscious and unconscious aspects of being.
Currently, she is delving deeper into the complexities of this dual existence, experimenting with highly textured oil colors on board and incorporating various mediums into her sculptures. Mahsa has exhibited her works in over forty solo and group exhibitions in the United States, Italy, Germany, UAE, Belgium, Cyprus, Canada, Hong Kong, and Iran. Her works have been published in various well-known magazines globally. Merci was shortlisted for the 5 Rising Painters to discover in 2022 by Artsy.