Photo: Diana Zalucky
Somsara (my given name) means “the eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death and rebirth” in Sanskrit. A name full of heavy symbolism seemed to predestine me for a life in the arts.
I am a native Los Angeles-based collage and mixed media artist who handmakes one-of-a-kind images that explore the complexity around the female experience. I start with familiar mid-century imagery and recontextualize it, drawing threads to the modern-day woman.
Using humor, alchemy, the supernatural, and mysticism, I explore the deep conflicts women experience. Drawing on my personal experience I am influenced by questions around identity, gender roles, religious trauma, and how that intersects with society’s portrayal of women past and present.
I rely heavily on intuition and listening to the materials. I enjoy exploring duality, and holding multiple truths. My pieces rarely mean just one thing and are very subject to the viewer’s interpretation. The messaging is layered and often explores the larger internal unconscious world and how our minds work independently and collectively.
Past artwork exhibitions include Los Angeles City Hall, San Francisco Center for the Book, Burt Green, Wallspace, Good Eye, Co-Lab, Machamux, Gold Bug, ArtShareLA, and sp[a]ce Galleries.
Somsara has received an American Illustration Award & International Motion Art Award.
Artist CV
Meet Somsara Rielly featured artist at sp[a]ce gallery // The Universe is in Us