Rhonda Schaller Studio

Projects Room Gallery 1
Feminist thought, Feminist movement -- curated project series

Solo Spotlight:

Marla Mossman

“I arrange my face to meet the situation, but my face rearranges itself to meet the moment”

The Egoist—a self-portrait study in two parts—illustrates the discovery of my essential being; separate from social, religious, and family definitions. All the images are of my body and face describing a transition from one of shame and fragmentation to a place of radiant beauty.

In the Orchid Becoming series, the underlying premise begins with the belief that man and woman are co-creators with God and each of us is a perfect and whole being. In our most intimate, we are the same regardless of culture or religion. The architecture of the Orchid Becoming series draws upon the classical Mandala, frequently illustrated as a circle to remind us of a higher utopian world.

The Reverence Medallion repeats this configuration, as a metaphorical flower, and like in nature, it is open, radiant with its sexuality exposed. The images incorporate symbols derived from the many cultures and religions I have encountered on my photography journeys to India and Asia.

The process of becoming is best illustrated by Sexual Resurrection. In this piece, the row of figures along the bottom contain details from the Layer of Shame. Here stands my naked body exposed to the paradigms and ideology of others. Inflicted with pain, bleeding life energy with each denial of the self as I try to be accepted by a judgmental and intolerant society. Suffering—brought on by these repressions—results in the wounding of my angelic being, gagging my singular voice. Rising above the Layer of Shame float the Hebrew letters for God. These letters combine with the many Marla Buddha’s illustrating that all religions, on a mystical level, point to a perfect goodness.

The Mandala titled Unity Goddess shows the multiple images of my body and face marking the energetic points of the chakras. The Goddess, the center and higher self, is shown as luminous, exquisite, and unashamed of her naked body. Persian lettering, Hebrew writing and the Buddhist position for peaceful meditation shows that all philosophies share in the notions of beauty and loving-kindness. Our openness leads to an honesty that can heal the violent attitudes that are so prevalent throughout a world that prefers repression to free expression.

The Persona Portraits series begins with the premise, “I arrange my face to meet the situation, but my face rearranges itself to meet the moment”. This series explores the notion of the individual as a complex grouping of multifaceted personalities.

Similar to Gurdjieff’s philosophy of the many I’s, “each of us has multiple personalities that come forward to meet circumstances in life. The illusion of control comes from our identification with whichever ‘I’ happen to be present at that moment.

In the Persona Portraits, there is one self-portrait sitting which originates as black and white photographs. The personas unfold using oil pastels, pencils, and charcoals resulting in bright, fun, and provocative textual images.

Marla Mossman

For purchase availability please contact Rhonda Schaller, Gallery Director, Tel 212 967 1338 or info@rhondaschallerchelsea.com.

To return to Feminist Thought/Feminist Movement – curated project series home page - click here.