Sunlight 2023 – Nada Sesar Raffay
Nada has provided her thoughts on her first Roberts Gallery solo show, Sunlight.
I’m in a new chapter of my life, in many ways. Part of this chapter is my paintings being enriched by my new approach to subjects, objects, and narratives. Having a background in figurative studies was important for my understanding and development of interpreting the visual world. Moving to abstracted thinking came naturally to me and I continue to explore the possibilities of creating complex ideas and compositions without the use of reference material. With this new series, my ultimate desire is to express my life experiences as a colourful story that anyone can find connection to.
About the exhibition’s title Sunlight:
A few months ago, I started working on my paintings for the upcoming show at Roberts Gallery. I found most of my energy from very eclectic and powerful music. Spotify and Youtube were my friends! One day, it was Hozier’s Sunlight with the background choir singing, uprising voices getting higher and higher…and that was all just about “sunlight.” I was mesmerized, uplifted, inspired! I instantly decided to name my 2023 series of paintings with the same title to lift spirits and pass positive energy towards the viewers. Sunlight is nothing but hope and energy filled with optimism for happiness, peace, and love.
FLOWER (BOUQUET) ARRANGEMENTS, 36 x 36 in., oil on canvas
About the houses in her work:
Creating a body of work is a long process. Besides the physical painting of it, one has to deep dive through the inner world where all the colours, lines, shapes, rhythms, and stories exist. The connection with my canvases is powerful and deep on many levels. The process was very dynamic and required complete surrendering in the most delightful way. Intuitively, my paintings portray my brighter Yang and my desire to in-still sunlight in viewer’s minds. The houses are more than just structures in a landscape, they are homes, essential for people and communities in every sense – particularly peace, love, and happiness.
MOONLIGHT SYMPHONY, 58 x 58 in., oil on canvas
About the flowers in her work:
In my painted stories are flowers, inside and around houses, for people to admire their natural beauty. There are some trees, plants, mountains, and skies. All of them come from my inner desire to paint beauty in this world.
BLUE BUTTERFLY AND CURIOUS FLOWERS, 36 x 36 in., oil on canvas
Listen to Sunlight here