originally published: 11/08/2014 Mallory Massara is one of 12 local artists to be featured in an exhibit entitled "Asbury Underground: The Locals ". The exhibit is running now through the end of the year at the art629 Gallery in Asbury Park. Massara's contribution is a series called "Beauty Thru Decay".

Massara says the series is about the beauty of natural decay, but, in this case, which speed up with the help of man. All pieces are on welding steel, and each has it's own combination of paints and "decay accelerants" (anything from hyrdochloric acid to human urine to the ocean). The time frame also varies from 1 week to 2 years. Each piece on display will have an accompanying sign telling it's tale of creation and destruction.

The inspiration for the series came from photos taken by Joe Harvard who has been taking photos of man made items in natural states of decay. "That was my 'muse'", explained Massara. "Examples of his work are road lines, paint peeling off buildings and fences, etc. I figured if nature can make something that beautiful by decay, so can I."

Massara, who has been involved in the Asbury Park music scene for quite a while, is a 2005 graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. She holds a BFA with a triple concentration in Painting, Film, and Video.

"I've been an artist my whole life," said Massara. "I think my first award was in the 2nd grade or something. My mentors from school are Ardele Lister (video art) and Damian Catera (sound art). My biggest 'mainstream' artistic influences would be Pipilotti Rist and the great Gerhard Richter."

Here's a look at two of her pieces in the exhibit:

 

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"Winter Fires" December 2012 - June 2013
12"x12" 22 Gauge Welding Steel
Enamel and Acrylic Paint
Exposed to Hydrochloric Acid repeatedly.
Exposed to human urine repeatedly.
Buried under snow, ice and rotting debris for 180 days.
Placed on open wood flame for 15 minutes.

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"Apparition" August 2012 - December 2012 12"x12" 22 gauge welding steel Enamel and Acrylic Paint Exposed to Hydrochloric Acid for 1 hour Exposed to high flame MAPP gas blow torch for 10 minutes Buried under rotting leaves for 145 days

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The art629 Gallery is located at 629 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park. The exhibition which showcases the work of 12 artists who live and work in or around Asbury Park. In addition to Massara, featured artists from Asbury Park include Patrick Schiavino, Pork Chop, Doug Fuchs, Denise Dmochowski, Linda Meyers, Brittany James, Maggie Brown, and Zachary Westfall. Other local artists included are Roddy Wildeman (Ocean Grove), Suzanne Anan (Belmar), Sarah Langsam (Bradley Beach).

An opening reception for the artists is scheduled for Saturday evening, November 22nd, from 7PM till 10PM, and is open to the public.

For more information on the gallery visit http://art629.com

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