AS IF HERE – Samaneh Reyhani & Marcus Matt
An impulse, an intention – this is how the artistic process begins. In their shared studio, Samaneh Reyhani and Marcus Matt share not only physical space but also philosophy, Persian poetry and creativity. While their sculpture and painting differ in expression, the connections between their works imbue them with new meanings, driven by shared sources of inspiration and a mutual longing to discover something new. Both artists have roots in Trelleborg – Marcus Matt born and raised here, and Samaneh Reyhani represented in the community with the public artwork "Nilofar" situated at Familjens Hus in Anderslöv.
At the center of the room floats a bronze sculpture, akin to a portal in a state of dissolution. Where does it lead – does it shut out or invite in? Surrounding it rise tall spikes of wood, deep dark brown and resolute, balancing on their tips and filling the space with a fragile yet powerful presence. Samaneh Reyhani expresses herself through materials such as wood, stone, and bronze. Her marble sculptures shimmer and shift in tone, delicately handcrafted. Their nature is raw and emotional, reminiscent of formations shaped by the sea; a unique pearl or traces of scars and wounds. The piece "Nightingale" draws inspiration from Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose," exploring themes of sacrifice and the essence of love and life.
Marcus Matt paints with layers of oil, responsive to his surroundings and acting in the moment – working swiftly to capture the essence of each experience. He describes his sketching process as trawling through daily life, where each painting is based on what remains and what slips through the cracks. The interplay of his paintings can be seen as a soft atlas, a way to map experiences where each work is like a postcard from an unknown place. Whether representational or geometrically abstract, his paintings always stem from the experience of having seen something. Shadows, layers, symbols, and lines feel familiar yet fleeting, inviting the viewer to fill in the gaps.
The exhibition showcases an interaction between the two artists' temperaments, choice of materials, and sense of time and space. Their works follow a logic of dreams and speak the language of dreams. The viewer is drawn to discover both the grand and the minute – as if secrets lie within. Here, presence is key, in this moment. Focus and disregard the other world, without distractions or preconceived notions. To be in a "Som Här" state – As If Here.
An impulse, an intention – that's how the artistic process begins. In their shared studio, Samaneh Reyhani and Marcus Matt don't just occupy physical space; here, philosophy, Persian poetry, and inspirations converge. While their sculpture and painting differ in expression, the connections between their works imbue them with new meanings, driven by shared sources of inspiration and a mutual longing to discover something new. Both artists have roots in Trelleborg – Marcus Matt born and raised here, and Samaneh Reyhani represented in the community with the public artwork "Nilofar" situated at Familjens Hus in Anderslöv.
At the center of the room floats a bronze sculpture, akin to a portal in a state of dissolution. Where does it lead – does it shut out or invite in? Surrounding it rise tall spikes of wood, deep dark brown and resolute, balancing on their tips and filling the space with a fragile yet powerful presence. Samaneh Reyhani expresses herself through materials such as wood, stone, and bronze. Her marble sculptures shimmer and shift in tone, delicately handcrafted. Their nature is raw and emotional, reminiscent of formations shaped by the sea; a unique pearl or traces of scars and wounds. The piece "Nightingale" draws inspiration from Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose," exploring themes of sacrifice and the essence of love and life.
Marcus Matt paints with layers of oil, responsive to his surroundings and acting in the moment – working swiftly to capture the essence of each experience. He describes his sketching process as trawling through daily life, where each painting is based on what remains and what slips through the cracks. The interplay of his paintings can be seen as a soft atlas, a way to map experiences where each work is like a postcard from an unknown place. Whether representational or geometrically abstract, his paintings always stem from the experience of having seen something. Shadows, layers, symbols, and lines feel familiar yet fleeting, inviting the viewer to fill in the gaps.
The exhibition showcases an interaction between the two artists' temperaments, choice of materials, and sense of time and space. Their works follow a logic of dreams and speak the language of dreams. The viewer is drawn to discover both the grand and the minute – as if secrets lie within. Here, presence is key, in this moment. Focus and disregard the other world, without distractions or preconceived notions. To be in a "Som Här" state – As If Here.
Samaneh Reyhani was born in 1990 in Iran and has studied at the University of Art, Tehran, and Malmö Art Academy. She is represented with several public works such as Nilofar outside Familjens Hus in Anderslöv and the newly inaugurated public artwork Daryâ in Sjöbo municipality.
Marcus Matt was born in 1992 in Trelleborg and has studied at Malmö Art Academy. He has received several awards for his work, including the Bernadotte Program's scholarship from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
Art and exhibitions by Samaneh Reyhani
