Lou Lou Arafan
I am extremely drawn to and influenced by nature and its fractals, and how mandalas occupy a place of great significance in human existence, as it is the very shape of celestial bodies like the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. The process of drawing mandalas is important to me as it is my therapeutic process. Throughout my artistic journey I have continuously been influenced by the mandala, as it is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is vital to recognise the symbolism of the mandala in my body of works I appreciate the connections between me, my imagination and my iPad Pro. My digital mandalas are defined by line and the contrasting shades of black and white, and evoke various feelings. When I draw mandalas I’m expressing my desire for healing and wellness. Further, most mandalas have an intuitive, irrational character and, through their symbolical content, exert a retroactive influence on the unconscious. They therefore possess a ‘magical’ significance. Personally, patterns allow me to relax, stay patient and allow my creativeness to spill out. When I sit and draw mandalas I loose track of time and everything around me. I believe that by expressing myself through patterns I unlock something more in myself; it’s as if with every layer I draw, another layer of me is discovered.
Untitled #1, 2020
Digital drawing
594mm x 420mm
Chaotic Perfection, 2020
Digital drawing
594mm x 420mm
Islamic Mandala, 2020
Digital drawing
594mm x 420mm
Untitled #2, 2020
Digital drawing
594mm x 420mm
