Spotlight: Sona Mirzaei
Sona Mirzaei is a multi-disciplinary artist from LA, whose body of work includes paintings, collage, public art, sculptures, street murals and performance art. Her work has been widely exhibited in multiple galleries throughout California, at Art Basel in Miami, Saatchi Gallery in London, Dubai, Europe and more. Sona's approach to art is culturally rich, bold, daring, while evoking a gentleness. She achieves great depth and contrast with use of her brush work, creating paintings with dynamic layers and texture, manifesting dimensions, liveliness and joy. She believes that "art and color create energy that provokes an emotional reaction that is meaningful and organic to humanity. Without our imaginations, we are nothing, and this ails me every day to create and keep us inspired." See more of Sona's work on her Instagram.
A Q&A With Sona about the Viva LA Experience
How has living in LA influenced your artistic style and the way in which you express yourself? Has LA influenced your choice of materials, media or message?
As an LA native this city has so much to offer and has this natural vibrancy that appeals to most people because it brings out your creativity which makes an impact in my work. Such as my Word Porn series that is typography with quotes and imagery that is expressive and has an impact in people’s lives. Being from LA has influence in my work, you always want to stay current, yet be unique and yourself. I keep finding ways to keep pushing boundaries and making new artwork. Street art and graffiti is more popular here versus New York – per se, and I have been able to dabble in it and bring that into my artist style that has defined my current work. As a multidisciplinary artist, I work in many mediums and genres of art. I like variety to keep things exciting and my art practice flowing and not to become stagnant.
The pop culture here is rapid and forever changing, and as a millennial I am a part of this movement. My words and quotes are influence by day-to-day activities and what is currently happening in my life. However, I create what I want for myself and inevitable hopefully others will appreciate it as well.
What aspects of living in LA do you most appreciate? Which do you find most challenging?
The weather, lifestyle, and accessibility to do whatever you want, you and can go to the mountains and the ocean in a day. That is awesome and worth living here. Traffic sucks at times and we have a lot of challenges, problems that need to be addressed in this city as well. And we need more art programs.
How does LA inspire you to express yourself?
I AM LA.
How has your art helped you grow as a person?
Each painting and creation are a chapter of my life. I am my art.
How do you think art can be used to bring people in LA together?
I have always been a huge advocate of public art and this way that you bring communities together. Sports of course unites people with a common shared interest, and so does art. The Arts have so much significant value that is priceless. Art is the only thing that does not depreciate in life. VIVA LA will bring some unification to LA, and this is an exciting way to get started.
What advice would you give kids growing up today who love creativity but may not be exposed to art?
One of the reasons of why public art is so important to me. Many people do not have the advantage, culture, education and lack the funds to be exposed to the arts at an early age, which why education and communities are important for kids building their foundation and their environment. My advice is to always follow your interests in life. Your thoughts are everything and real. If you can imagine it, it can be real. And to never give up. To always have an imagination and your thoughts are yours, and no one else’s. Do not let others interfere with your progress in life. Make it happen and do whatever it takes to succeed. Be kind. Do Epic Shit. Try to find vision, create with anything, and open your horizons.
If you could have one big wish come true for Los Angeles of the future, what would it be?
One big wish: Make LA better – Build new programs for the Arts, more educational centers, more galleries and art programs, museums, to get rid of the homeless problem, make it cleaner, and make housing affordable.