Mark Masyga

Charitable Deceptions

solo exhibition of paintings

Front Room is proud to present Charitable Deceptions, a new series of abstract paintings by Mark Masyga. In this new body of work, the title “Charitable Deceptions,” refers to a passage written by Gabriel García Márquez in which, “…memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good.” Mark Masyga ruminates on this concept through his process of addition and subtraction in his compositional constructions. The linear abstract paintings in this exhibition chronicle a passage of time as explored through the artist’s application and removal of lines, forms and color. The resulting paintings have a sense of static movement within the illusionary space of the canvas. The linear forms of color emerge with clarity from the ground colors; reminiscent of bent wire, they overlap and intertwine to engage with each other.

In this exhibition, Masyga continues his interest in combining mark-making aspects of drawing and with fields and washes of oil paint. Within the added layers of pencil lines and painted swaths is also evidence of erasure. Paint covers some marks completely; elsewhere he leaves traces of previous lines and colors, either seeping through or visible along the edges.

Saturday, May 8th, 6PM - Virtual Walkthrough with the artist

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“A Celluloid Dickey, a Razor and Two 8-Balls,” 2021, 52 x 34” (oil, graphite on wood) — **“A Celluloid Dickey, a Razor and Two 8-Balls,”** 2021, 52 x 34” (oil, graphite on wood) $8000USD PURCHASE

A Celluloid Dickey, a Razor and Two 8-Balls (details)

Masyga’s new multi-panel configurations expand the viewing area as well as create additional depth with shifting ground colors. Some brushstrokes connect and flow to others of different colors, shapes or thicknesses when they reach a panel’s edge, and end up going somewhere else entirely. White gaps between the panels of A Celluloid Dickey, a Razor and Two 8-Balls act as punctuation, stopping the eye or drawing attention to internal edges.

“Chomping Away Like a Walking Train Wreck,” 2021, 30 x 20.5” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3400USD PURCHASE — **“Chomping Away Like a Walking Train Wreck,”** 2021, 30 x 20.5” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3400USD PURCHASE

“BR-549,” 2021, 72 x 60” (oil, graphite on canvas) $8500 USD PURCHASE — **“BR-549,”** 2021, 72 x 60” (oil, graphite on canvas) $8500 USD PURCHASE

BR-549 (detail images)

“Driving a Tractor Into the Shiny Future,” 2021, 35.75 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE — **“Driving a Tractor Into the Shiny Future,”** 2021, 35.75 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE

“Once or Twice, Like an Ermine Jigsaw,” 2021, 36 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE — “**Once or Twice, Like an Ermine Jigsaw**,” 2021, 36 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE

“Centuries of Dandy Nannies,” 2021, 25.5 x 21” (oil, graphite on canvas)$2400USD PURCHASE — “**Centuries of Dandy Nannies**,” 2021, 25.5 x 21” (oil, graphite on canvas)$2400USD PURCHASE

“The Mystery was Accepted (Dandy!),” 2021, 27 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE — **“The Mystery was Accepted (Dandy!),”** 2021, 27 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE

“Extramural Half-Knowledge,” 2021, 36 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE — “**Extramural Half-Knowledge**,” 2021, 36 x 28” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE

“Don’t Look (Letters Have No Arms),” 2021, 35.75 x 26.75” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE — **“Don’t Look (Letters Have No Arms),”** 2021, 35.75 x 26.75” (oil, graphite on canvas) $3200USD PURCHASE

“Sail Without Wind (Looking at Gas),” 2021, 30 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE — “**Sail Without Wind (Looking at Gas)**,” 2021, 30 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE

“So Drooping and So Fine,” 2021, 30 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE — “**So Drooping and So Fine**,” 2021, 30 x 24” (oil, graphite on canvas) $2600USD PURCHASE

charitable deceptions press release

Charitable Deceptions, Installation Images

Take a two minute video tour of the exhibition

Mark Masyga solo show 2021

Mark Masyga

Charitable Deceptions