William Mazza mines the literary landscape in “Forest for Trees”

William Mazza’s engaging exhibition, “Forest for Trees: Mining the Literary Landscape,” opened in the ArtRage Gallery on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The exhibition, which runs from Nov. 11 through Jan. 13, 2024, introduces Mazza’s latest masterpieces, each centered on a single page of a text or poem. The artwork reflects Mazza’s response to his surroundings in an abstract and exploratory manner. 

Inspired by the rich tapestry of literature, “Forest for Trees” offers a unique fusion of visual art and the written word, weaving stories and narratives onto physical canvases. The artist transforms the rhetoric of writers like Angela Davis, Cecilia Vicuna, Anne Waldman and Susan Sontag into vibrant artwork. 

Currently based in New York City, Mazza earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting from Syracuse University in 1989. Today, his creations shine a spotlight on community and collaborative art practices, emphasizing the power of art as a form of popular communication. 

Following his move to Brooklyn, Mazza became involved with the feminist avant-garde Belladonna* Collaborative and Arts for Art, an organization dedicated to advancing African American improvisational arts. Over time, this involvement transformed into developing a live, improvised painting and video practice collaborating with musicians, dancers and writers.

The “Forest for Trees: Mining the Literary Landscape” exhibition will be up in the ArtRage Gallery, located 505 Hawley Ave, until Jan. 24, 2024. More of Mazza’s artwork can be viewed at www.mazzastudio.com.