Untitled 1995

Houria Niati made this untitled artwork on what looks like paper, using watercolor and ink. It’s a process-driven piece, full of personal symbols. The way the watercolour bleeds and blooms across the surface gives it a kind of ephemeral, dreamlike quality. But then you've got these bold, graphic ink lines on top, anchoring the composition. The contrast between the fluid, transparent washes and the sharp, opaque lines is really striking, like the whole thing is floating and grounded at the same time. Take a look at the large pink circle in the middle, full of triangles and half-moon shapes. The way it’s been built up with layers of colour, gives it a real depth, but it's also kind of messy and raw. It reminds me of outsider artists like Forrest Bess. Their work isn't about perfection, it's about exploring inner worlds through mark-making, embracing the imperfect.