Mark Wazz Media

These acrylic paintings were created with the intent to consider them for the Composite art exhibition. Exclusive to student enrolled in Senior Thesis at Ramapo College, inclusion in this gallery is a step towards a successful artistic future after graduation.

Artist statement:

     In this collection, each work began with few or no specific sources of inspiration. Often, the most vague or minuscule idea worked its way through the subconscious mind and onto the pages where these designs were drawn. The results influenced further ideas and this cycle continued until the works blossomed into the versions finalized by these paintings. For example, “Night Blink” was inspired by the Moon and, therefore, conforms to the circular nature of celestial bodies. After this initial influence was registered, the design branched out, developing and extemporizing upon its own identity, incorporating new ideas such as the radial solar imagery, the gradient that suggests a glow, and the line pattern that surrounds the center. This looping process of inspiration and improvisation is what creates this art.

    Though each is quite unique, strong visual similarities exist between the pieces in this collection. One obvious linking quality is the utilization of value contrasts. Because this is a central aspect of the art, neutral pigments were used. This choice causes differences in value to be more identifiable, making the separation of geometric spaces either more pronounced where distinction is intended or more subtle where a a softer relationship is needed, such as with the gradients throughout “Ribbons.”

    Although the work in this collection varies between the categories of symmetry and asymmetry, it is clear that there is geometric energy in each design being confined to an overall symmetrical form, which is satisfying to a degree that makes the works feel well-balanced. This form has taken the shape of a circle, which relates to notions of perfection in the mathematical sense and makes the viewer feel that the designs are complete.

    The physical processes required to create this collection involve basic actions with measuring equipment. Fundamental geometry, which mostly encompasses straight lines and circles, is applied with the use of mechanical drawing techniques. After numerous simple actions, the space becomes progressively complex until the design reaches maturity. For example, in “Ribbons,” the focus is on how groupings of parallel lines or concentric circles of different origins meet and compete with one another for priority. This contention results in overlapping and an illusion of depth. Meanwhile, the value gradients add substance to the sections and further this illusion.

    “Sun Star 24” is the design that pulls the most influenced from other artwork. Specifically, it resembles a mandala in the way that it emanates from a single point in symmetrical layers and draws great attention to the center. Although the design draws a decorated pathway to the center for the viewer, it is unlike typical mandala designs as it lacks small detail, contains harsh angles, and emphasizes the external components. Although this collection doesn’t work off of any particular artists or artworks, it does tend to focus on the same features as other geometric artists. Throughout this genre of work, clean lines and solid values can easily be regarded as marks of success. In this way, inspiration is drawn from Bridget Riley’swork in optical art, which encompasses black and white spaces that are distinguished by sharp boundaries. Parallels can also be drawn between Mark’s bold usage of dark values and the work in geometric abstraction created by Don Voisine. Contemporary influences such as these can be seen across the works presented in this series.

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This gallery encompasses work that was created directly after graduation in order to maintain momentum and prevent a break in productivity. Appropriately, I call this my momentum phase.

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If I see a way in which I would like to make my artwork move, I may bring that motion to life.

This gallery displays my designs in a new way as they are recreated with color incorporated in them.

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This online gallery explores Mark's artistic history, which includes the educational phase. These projects are vastly different from present works and do not necessarily representative the artist's current interests/endeavors, but are found to be of interest nonetheless. Welcome to the vault.

If you happen to be interested in obtaining a past work, contact me for information and/or make an offer.