Flower of Life Collage

" Kati Simek’s extraordinary journey is reflected in the artistry of her intricate fabric mandalas. Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1955, on the cusp of the Communist Revolution, she was left in the care of her grandparents when her parents fled the country. Kati learned the craft of bookbinding to help support her family, never dreaming that these sewing skills would one day facilitate her unique artwork. Over the years, her attempts to reunite with her family led her to Canada and Australia, and later, as a star of the Hungarian National Soccer Team, Kati escaped the Iron Curtain and moved to Munich. Ultimately, she landed in Los Angeles, a refugee, deeply aware of the fragility of life’s ties and the interconnectedness of events. Longing to memorialize her connection to the fleeting past, she created her first mandala with clothing from her beloved grandmother…and Kati’s journey, as ephemeral and twisting as a fabric mandala, came full circle. "