Artist: Mahsa Soroudi
Exhibition: Clio
Media: photography
Gallery: N/a
Website: https://www.mahsasoroudi.com/
Mahsa Soroudi is a Iranian immigrant currently living in southern california. Originally Soroudi lived in Tehran but, immediately after she married she moved away from Tehran, first she lived in Malaysia then after a year she moved to the US. Initially very excited to move to the US, Soroudi volunteer and tried to lay down roots. However, as time progressed Soroudi withered, lost energy, and became home sick. Eventually even the garden that she loved made up of resilient succulents withered with her. As she looked at her withered garden she found purpose in revitalizing her garden, torn form neglect. So to as her garden revived so too did Soroudi, eventually she managed to regain her vigor and find a better balance in her life, finally being able to accept california as her home.
The work shown is primarily made up of small spirals of bronze colored metal a pearl colored metal and gold. In between the spirals there are gaps making use of negative space. The primary gemstone is massive, is amber color, and flanked by two small diamonds. The main gemstone is very clear and pristenly cut as are the two flanking diamonds. The piece looks very polished with no rough unfinished edges and clean linework. Overall this ring seems to be very expensive and a grandiose exhibition of wealth for the wearer.
Soroudi in her interview related that her succulent plants helped revitalise her in a strange place. That inspiration seems to have seeped through into this piece, the swirls have a very organic feel and even look reminiscent of succulent leaves. The color scheme of this piece is also reminiscent of a desertscape, with very warm colors throughout the piece. Even the main jewel is a golden color reminiscent of the sun.
I think Soroudi’s work of art is extravagant and beautiful, and her story is compelling and heartfelt. I don’t think I would ever wear that ring for fear of getting robbed but if I was a hundred million dollars richer I may very well commission her to make me a piece of jewelry. Soroudi’s tale of homesickness from her travel away from iran is something many people I’m very close with have experienced and though I haven’t moved away I resonate with story of missing your home.
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