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Painter Edgard Mazigi’s exhibition, Intermediate Spaces, is open to the public from September 29 to October 21 at the Art on 56th gallery in Gemmayze.
The exhibition’s title emphasizes a sense of ambiguity, inviting mystery and sparking curiosity. Educated in painting, drawing, and sculpture at New York University and influenced by the post-1945 American artistic movement, Mazigi presents a monochromatic world of black and white. He introduces intermediate gray areas he calls “temperatures.” Whether warm or cold, these areas subtly blend with shades of yellow-ocher, green, and blue, enriching the canvas with countless gray nuances.
Mazigi embarks on a journey to claim the uncharted territory of the canvas. Diving into the unknown without biases, he seeks to explore its utmost potential. He aims to free himself from the confines and standards set by representational art. Sidestepping the narrative or aesthetic pitfalls, he chooses to be led by intuition or the inspiration of the moment. Abstraction grants Mazigi an expansive field of exploration, a space for continuous experimentation and growth. This allows him to engage in an intense dance with the canvas, forging a passionate bond.
Such profound immersion, albeit occasionally unsettling, enables the artist to unleash his creativity. Pushing his own boundaries, he often finds himself surprised by a spontaneously emerging image. He then attempts to identify, refine, or even erase it, depending on his artistic vision. From this interplay between the tangible and the intangible, between freedom and discipline, arises tension. This tension amplifies the dramatic essence of some artworks, like that portraying wolves in a forest, or highlights the ambiguity in others, such as a piece where a mother holds her child yet seems distant from her gaze. This juxtaposition creates a timeless quality, beckoning contemplation and unveiling the artist’s inner vision, a realm between reality and the ethereal.
The diverse themes, be they characters, animals, ships, or landscapes, all resonate with Mazigi’s distinct artistic language. This language, honed over many years of dedication and rigorous work, manifests in the meticulous composition, spatial organization, and intentionally unfinished forms. The dynamic strokes and generous gestures, whether sketched with a brush or palette knife, infuse each piece with a pulsating energy, fostering an unending dialogue between the painter and the audience.
Immerse yourself in this distinctive world at the Art on 56th gallery until October 21.
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