Sepi Naghashian
Artist based in Nashville, Tennessee
ABOUT
Sepi is a self-taught artist residing in Nashville, Tennessee. After an extensive formal education in science and engineering and a distinguished 20-year career in medical research, she rekindled her childhood passion for visual art and painting. During her formative years in Austria, she developed a deep love for mountainous landscapes and a keen awareness of the impact of human civilization on the environment and global warming. Her creative journey began with modern interpretations of mountain scenery and evolved into an integrated style inspired by contemporary artists like Ed Ruscha and Anselm Kiefer, each contributing distinct elements to her artistic expression. Sepi’s artwork is best described as a transformation of mountains into abstract shapes floating against a minimalist background, representing a "silent universe." Her style encompasses three key elements: a reduced color palette, the use of graphic and geometric design to balance realism with abstraction, and the subtle integration of conceptual themes that highlight the human and urban footprint on nature. Inspired by architect Tom Kundig’s work, Sepi began experimenting with various painting materials—including acrylic, pen, pencil, charcoal, fiber paste, and crackle paste—to evoke a sense of timelessness and create surfaces that exude a weathered, aged, and fragmented appearance.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Each of my works is a non-assuming yet curious exploration of the coexistence between humanity and nature. I like to capture the delicate balance and subtle interactions, illustrating how human presence is interwoven with the natural rocky world in both ordinary and nuanced ways. In 2005, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where the green and rocky landscape of middle Tennessee became my new natural obsession. The rocky roadsides, visible throughout Nashville, have deeply influenced my current artwork.
Website: https://www.sepiandart.com/
Instagram: @shokous