In the art district of Los Angeles, a renowned artist illuminates her gallery with vibrant bursts of vivid colors, among a world that has recently been painted over in dismal grays and subdued tones. Abstract paintings on large canvases are a gleaming reminder of her artistic genius. If the paintings were to be alive, they would be vivacious and rousing – much like the artist herself.
Haleh Mashian, lead designer, owner, and founder of clothing label MASH City, and artist, founder, and owner of MASH Gallery, has revolutionized the art industry’s creative approach. Mashian’s unique paintings and designs express her creativity in several mediums.
Technicolor, bold chromatic, and abstract lines of contrasting colors tell a story of Mashian’s approach to art. Art is a celebration of life, energy, and individuality.
Haleh Mashian’s work first attracted attention when she exhibited watercolor and acrylic paintings on the walls of her Los Angeles gallery, MASH. The environment at MASH gallery is one of excitement, individuality, and sophisticated discussions on artistic forms. Mashian creates colorful, contemporary paintings that express her inventive approach and inquisitive qualities. Mashian’s artwork is rich in vibrant colors and wonderfully detailed, undeniably painted by a skilled artist’s hand.
Mashian infuses her heart and energy into her work, among each collage and impasto painting, all infused with her charisma and spirit. Mashian’s illustrations explore the interplay of color, space, and energy; her work is captivating, with each piece appearing to be more intricate and bold than the last.
Mashian describes her artistic style in a statement, “My work is often a reflection – an intimate journey that walks inside the mirror of my life.” She continues, “As an artist, I know how important it is to experience art in real life and the power it has to connect people.”
Indeed, the brand’s popularity and recognition are founded upon its emphasis on vivid colors and refined design; Mashian discusses the significance of color in a statement, “Color is life and the life force energy is a creative and artistic energy. It’s a conversation starter. It’s an energetic line. It is soulful.”
Haleh Mashian’s artistic articulation could not be limited by a singular art form – paintings embellishing gallery walls to be exclusively looked at. As such, Mashian founded her brand, MASH City, as a physical manifestation of her creative energy. Now, the infamous crevasses and details of her gallery’s work are printed upon jackets and sweatpants. Such an endeavor has taken Mashian’s paintings and made them accessible to anyone; they can now be seen on the pedestrians of Los Angeles.
The label brings together the various dynamic parts of her distinguished creation and transforms them into a new extreme of wearable masterpieces. Mashian debuted her clothing line with a winter collection that introduced striking paintings spilled over trendy jackets, like the gender-fluid “facial recognition” bomber jacket depicting an abstract woman painted in shades of pale yellow and lime green, contrasted by black sleeves and a checkerboard pattern on the chest.
This past October, Mashian debuted her second Fall collection, inspired by her gallery’s “Sacred Waters” exhibition. Sacred Waters is a comprehensive visual experience wherein the fluid qualities of water and the ocean are embodied through paint, palette, and composition. The ocean’s waves serve as Mashian’s paramount inspiration. The colors in her collection are reminiscent of those observed in nature: the tranquil azure of the receding and rushing ocean waves, bronzed sands, gleaming glacial white, and the baby blue ripples of a calm lake.
“Water preserves and water destroys,” Mashian says of her muse. “I tapped into the energy of water—constantly creating, destroying and also preserving. I felt the ebb and flow in my approach to doing these series, with a very fierce calm energy. Water is never stuck. When the weather is cold, water changes to ice, with heat comes it becomes vapor. When something is in its path, water goes around it or waits patiently till it gathers enough force to conquer its obstacle.”
MASH City’s collections feature the brand’s characteristic mesmerizing hues, colorful patterns, and eye-catching designs. By incorporating her own artistic panache into her brand, Mashian encourages her audience to adopt a distinctive style unique to their personalized creative expression. MASH City’s clothing releases serve as a reflection of Mashian’s art pieces and promote the same message: create, be unique, and do not limit your artistic expression.
