Nikki Maloof’s paintings explore the hidden aspects of the mind, using imagined interiors and animals to symbolize human experiences of existential loneliness. Her work blends humor and vibrant color with melancholic and sometimes brutal imagery. Through playful brushwork and contrasting textures, Maloof creates a tension between dark themes and the lively nature of the paint itself. Her process is a journey of discovery, where the paint often overtakes the subject, revealing unplanned and unexpected elements that feel intrinsic to the material. This creates a self-defeating melodrama that reflects an ambivalent view of existence.