In Motion Series by S. Manya Stoumen-Tolino
33 Contemporary Gallery presents In Motion Series. A collection of works on paper by S. Manya Stoumen-Tolino. Now available in Artsy for collectors worldwide.
In her latest series, “In Motion,” S. Manya Stoumen-Tolino explores the enduring theme of change through works conceived as “movement portraits.” Bodies within these works sway, contort and wrestle - sometimes gracefully yielding to the forces upon them, offering a vivid portrayal of the expansive spectrum of human experience and emotion. Executed with a painterly hand, these intricate and expressive mixed-media artworks serve as visual narratives of action, capturing both the internal and external landscapes inherent in the story of being alive. Motion and change serve as central themes and act as poignant metaphors for life’s ceaseless transformation and nature of renewal. Pushing the boundaries of the flesh and the forces they depict, “In Motion” invites viewers to contemplate eternal questions about existence.
About the Artist
S. Manya Stoumen-Tolino, best known for her highly gestural paintings, delves into the historical and conceptual foundations of the medium, intertwining it with reflections on the experience of being alive. Her life-long fascination with movement and organic life is palpable in her art, where familiar shapes materialize, vanish, and transform, existing in a realm between representational and non-representational abstraction. Rooted both in the physical act of painting and intense observation of the natural world, Manya views her creative process as a form of meditation or prayer: "I feel that my works are spoken through me as much as from me."
Born just outside of Philadelphia, Manya's love of art led her to undergraduate studies at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Art) and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Painting. Early in her career, she worked and studied independently in Italy, solidifying her love for the figure, light, and transcendent narratives. Driven by a passion to understand movement, she also pursued a career as a fitness professional and coach while balancing motherhood and maintaining her daily studio practice. Although she deliberately limited public exposure during those years, Manya's paintings are included in many private collections. Currently residing in Maryland, her artistic exploration remains an ongoing journey. While generally expressionistic, her work transcends the confines of any specific movement or time period.
