Gallery 1001 - Mariha Elwell

Mark Rothko once said that, “A painting is not a picture of an experience, but is the experience.” Although he was speaking of his own works, this quote could very easily apply to Gallery 1001’s newest artist, Expressionist Mariha Elwell. A Kansas native, Mariha has also lived in Oklahoma and Florida where she was doing bodybuilding training. Mariha had spent 12 years in competitive bodybuilding and 3 years power-lifting until she suffered a devastating injury leaving her with a fractured back. The severity of her injury required almost a year of painful rehab and recovery. It was during this time that she decided to listen to the call of her soul beginning her journey of self-healing and self-discovery. It was through her journey she discovered Shamanism, and Energetic Healing that would eventually lead to her discovery and love for creating art. After traveling and living in other areas, Mariha and her husband, Zach, decided that Winfield was a beautiful and peaceful place to raise their family. In Mariha's art, she takes a more tactile approach. Mariha creates works of art that where movement and change was accomplished through her innovative use of textures. Through the usage of bubble wrap, paper, glue, spackling, sawdust, and other items, she creates works that makes those who view her work want to reach out and “touch” The piece. Mariha’s art also challenges (much like Rothko, Frankenthaler, and Pollock), the viewers to think beyond societal narratives. Every piece is woven with a meaning that comes from the emotions that she taps into and allows to flow “through” her. With a creative drive and seemingly limitless ideas, Mariha’s art shows a love for experimentation, and trying new things simply to see how they will turn out! And, unlike many artists who prefer otherwise, Mariha encourages people to “touch” her works and give their own perspective on what they “feel” and experience from her art. With an unquenchable thirst for discovery and experimentation, Mariha brings an undeniable and welcomed energy to the Gallery 1001