Carlos Velázquez on November 6, 2024
Maria Titan’s career is a story of rediscovered passion and artistry, one that took an unexpected pause only to emerge more vividly than ever. Raised in South Africa, Maria’s creative journey began with a BA in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, but her path diverged when the realities of making a living as an artist led her to the corporate world. For over a decade, she ran her own recruitment company, putting her artistic dreams on hold. Yet, in 2020, the global pandemic served as a catalyst for change. Maria decided to close her business and embrace a long-held dream: a full-time life as a professional artist. Now based in Nicosia, Cyprus, she brings this renewed energy and vision to her work.
A Dynamic and Experimental Practice
Maria’s artistic process combines a wealth of materials and techniques, showcasing her talent as a mixed-media artist. She paints with acrylics, watercolors, pastels, and markers, experimenting with varnish and resin to add unique textures and dimensions to each piece. Each artwork is a layered composition, often starting with a photograph that she digitally manipulates to achieve the right structure and mood before translating it onto paper or canvas. Her work frequently features bold, expressive colors that draw viewers into her imagined worlds, balancing realism and whimsy.
Maria’s choice of materials also reflects her dedication to experimentation. She has worked with an array of mediums including glitter, gold leaf, ink, and resin, as well as high-quality paper such as Arches and Canson, wood panels, and canvas boards. This mixed-media approach gives her work a distinct texture and richness, inviting viewers to experience the art not only visually but almost tactilely.
The Room Portrait Collection: Whimsy and Narrative
Maria’s latest body of work, the Room Portrait Collection, invites audiences into a vibrant, imaginative world. Each portrait is a detailed, playful depiction of rooms inhabited by an eclectic mix of characters, from people and animals to decorative elements, each contributing to the artwork's narrative. With this collection, Maria draws on themes of intimacy and personal space, inspired in part by the isolation and introspection of the pandemic. Her “rooms” are vivid, quirky spaces, each one telling a unique story that feels both personal and fantastical.
Her fascination with interior spaces began during the lockdowns, when she found herself captivated by the way people express themselves within their private environments. Maria's Room Portraits are her way of exploring these intimate spaces—playful depictions that transform rooms into miniature worlds. The detailed scenes incorporate bold colors and elements of surprise, leaving viewers feeling as if they’ve stepped into a surreal moment in time.
Auction on Peggy: An Invitation to Collect Maria’s Work
Art collectors and enthusiasts can own a piece of Maria Titan’s unique world as her Room Portrait Collection is now live on Peggy. Each painting in the collection captures the whimsy and emotional depth that defines her practice. From expressive color palettes to intricate details, Maria’s Room Portraits are not only visually engaging but also offer a narrative depth that invites viewers to find their own stories within each scene.
This auction is a chance for collectors to acquire artworks that are both personal and universal, evoking a blend of nostalgia, curiosity, and joy. For Maria, each piece represents not only her artistic journey but also her connection with the viewers and collectors who take her work into their own homes. With collectors worldwide, her pieces have resonated far beyond Cyprus, creating an international fanbase that appreciates her distinctive style and the stories she weaves through her art.
For those captivated by art that merges storytelling, vivid color, and intricate details, Maria Titan’s Room Portrait Collection is an auction not to be missed. Step into one of Maria’s rooms and let your imagination wander—each artwork offers a journey into a whimsical world that is all her own.
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