If you visit the Tumblr of Mahban’s paintings, you’ll see her mission statement, top left: “I don’t philosophize my work. I paint for the masses.” It explains why the OCAD grad and local painter is better known for mastering the massest medium out there: nail art. No longer stuck with “ghetto” connotations, the street-bred trend has been totally co-opted by high fashion: SHOWStudio’s doing fashion films about it, Rizzoli’s putting out a not-so-little book about it, and Alexa Chung’s getting it done to match her Mary Katrantzou dresses.
Mahban’s nail art is recognizable around the west end for its bright, sometimes abstract, almost graffiti-like quality. She’s done nail events at Miracle Thieves and MOCCA and will give you a custom set of miniatures based on whatever you like–as long as what you like isn’t stupid. The other day we sat down outside The Mascot to talk about nail art vs. tattoo art, the importance of Tumblr, and how she can paint anything, but she won’t paint that.
Why do you think nail art–or even just nailpolish–has become so popular and rife with fads? One week it’s all about tips, the next week it’s OPI Shatter, whatever, whatever.
Honestly, I think Tumblr has given kitsch new life. It’s so hard to distinguish between high and lowbrow anything these days. And I say “lowbrow” in the most respectful way possible. Tumblr is like an instant injection of ‘cool’ and ‘kitsch’ into the veins of the youth. Everything is viral, and nail polish and nail art are not exempt from the rule. But, I’d go further to say that Tumblr is the largest and most effective breeding ground for nail artists, and has the best climate for the cultivation of nail art, both in terms of peer support and inspiration for new designs and trends. It’s especially true when you consider its sense of temporality in trends, echoing the temporality of the nature of nail art itself.
Do you have a favourite nail artist, like on Tumblr?
Yes! I don’t know if it’s one person who has a salon or a whole team but their Tumblr domain is illustratednail.tumblr.com. So good.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever been asked to paint on a stranger’s nails?
The Fendi Logo. I barfed in my mouth, but sucked it up, cause I didn’t have the energy to explain how this too is an extension of my artistic expression, and that I find that request almost offensive.
And the best?
An artist friend of mine, Jabari Elicser, asked me to do a portrait of myself and my friend Teresa Aversa on either of his thumbs, last week at MOCCA. That turned out hilarious.
Who are your favourite artist-artists? In Toronto?
Scott Waters, Rajni Perera, and Alex McLeod.
And in… the world?
That is the hardest question to answer in the world. So I’m gonna go traditional and say Mahmoud Farschian, who is a traditional Iranian Miniaturist. By no means my favourite artist in the world ever, but definitely in Iran.
Nail art is sort of like miniaturism, I think.
It’s easier than it looks, though. Because I started by doing it on myself, I’ve become really good at painting with my left hand. It hasn’t translated to other things, though, like writing. It’s funny.
What’s the best salon brand of nailpolish?
All Essie everything.
Best drugstore brand?
I like Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey.
Do you see nail art as a sort of temporary tattoo?
Yes, definitely. It doesn’t speak for itself, it has a representative taking it around and talking about it. It’s awesome. Except it’s more visible in most situations than tattoos. I mean, hands are the most expressive part of the body, and in conversation with someone, your hands draw their eyes more than anything else after the face.
But yes, nail art is definitely parallel to tattoo art in that people like to be self-expressive, and in some cases sport an artist’s work on their body. But one is permanent and the other can be taken off within seconds with nail polish remover. And nail polish remover is cheap and easy to find, so in that sense, they’re hella different.
How does it feel to be “the nail girl” in Toronto?
I hope one day, I’ll be known as “that artist girl who’s also great at doing nails.” For now, I like the attention. Keep it coming.
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Sarah Nicole Prickett is the Toronto Standard Style Critic.
