Monika Steiner: The Fifth Element

Ancient philosophers believed Aether was a non-material fifth element, earth, water, air and fire being the other four. Invisible Aether permeated the universe and was caused to rotate in perfect circles when the weight of the heavier water and earth elements passed by rising air and fire.

Although the theory lacked scientific viability it did capture how we sense harmony when opposing forces are in equilibrium, and how the unseen aspects of life, like abstract art, express what can’t be understood by the eyes and mind yet can be clearly felt.

Balance in this series is created by contrast, texture and drips interacting with each painting’s lighter elements. Aether’s circular characteristic is represented as spheres, nature’s most efficient shape (requiring the least amount of structure to enclose the greatest possible volume) - their elegance conjuring entities as massive as planets all the way down to the shape of sub-atomic particles. 

Born in Switzerland, Monika Steiner currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area where she received her BFA degree from Sonoma State University. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally in galleries, museums, and public exhibitions.