@barrymasonart

“Barry Mason states that he sees himself as a “composer” when he constructs his large shaped and sculpted abstract paintings, which are also vehicles for expressing that inner intersection where his admiration for Renaissance grandeur and aspects of his Afro-American identity merge in a potent personal synthesis. In this regard, given their vigor and symphonic sweep, Mason’s paintings with their brilliant colors, dynamic irregular formats, and forms that (for their often, angular symmetry) hint at African folk motifs, can be compared to the music of the great American composers like Ellington and Mingus, who achieved an exquisite balance of jazz improvisation and classical composition”

–J. Sanders Eaton, Gallery & Studio Magazine

“He has been called this generations Basquiat.”

–Danny Simmons, Our Time At Home Magazine

As a young boy growing up in Snow Hill, I felt an attraction to the awesomeness of the farmlands, the natural lines of farm buildings and the rich stories of my ancestors who lived in this historic area. “I was immersed in the vast scenic landscapes, the beaches and islands along the Eastern Shore. It all seemed like an artwork

in itself although I did not call it that at the time. I just remember always having a desire to create, to construct and to draw. Looking back, I realize that there were spirits guiding me along the way. Now, 40 plus years later, art and those impressions still fuel my creative process.

I see myself as a “composer” when I construct my large shaped and sculpted abstract paintings.

As I’m creating, I feel an ancestry spirit pulling me far back to an ancient African trail. I hear their chant and it motivates me to extend my creative reach and change the boundaries thru my love of shapes - Altering the traditional 45 degree angle of a rectangle or square canvas to multiple forms, degrees, and dimensions.

The chanting takes me in various directions depending on the inspiration of the moment. A barrage of conscious and un-conscious elements begin to emerge thru linear/non-linear lines, forms, colors & backward writing, all weaving in and out the layered painted surface to create a story that may sometimes extend beyond even my conscious. As I’m guided by the spirit, I embrace the journey.

I was first introduced to abstract expressionist and many other forms of art at Indiana State University. As one of ISU’s student staff photographers, I documented campus life and sports activities (photographing fellow students like basketball great Larry Bird and gymnast Kurt Thomas.) It was the beginning of my foray into photo documentation which manifested itself in future works such as the “African Burial Ground” (National Historic Landmark), President Barack Obama and other noted political officials and entertainers; and more than 20 years of photo placements in hundreds of newspapers across the United States. Here (ISU) is where I also created my first abstract and large-scale works on canvas.

One of my highest achievements of all awards and mentions, was in the late 1970’s when as a student at The Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC., I exhibited at “The White House”. A few years later, I created my first shaped painting, “Carry Not Any Burdens”.

During the early 1980’s, I continued to shape, stretch and sculpt my canvasses and wood frames with the purpose of the final piece appearing to float in the air as opposed to positioned on the wall. This has been as integral to my creative process as the canvas painting content itself. I received my BFA in 1982 from

The Corcoran School of Art and upon graduation, moved to New York where I have continued to create from my Mount Vernon studio.

My works have been exhibited in numerous galleries, venues and local museums.

For more info, Barry L. Mason can be reached at 914-649-2399, email: blmason@mac.com,

www.barrymasonart.com or follow me on Instagram: barrymasonart

Featured Work:

Revolutionary (2023) | Oil, spray paint and enamel on canvas shaped stretcher | $15,000

One of my latest vibrant, color-filled multifaceted shaped paintings.

A large bold, radical and elaborate painting that features a defined new shape, part of my iconic style. Many elements were involved in this painting.

The process begins on my studio floor, my large sketch pad so to speak, and the  creative design process of my painting stretchers begin. Starting with scraps of thin lumber, in different lengths to form varying shapes and forms. As I’m creating the actual shape, the trail begins. This may take place over a few days or weeks. A calling comes to me during the trail. For this piece, I’m steadily adding, taking away and manipulating the shape. Consistently changing it to create an innovative order. Part of the joy is when the shape suddenly feels absolute. 

As for the formation and creation of this particular shape - It began with the center shape/form that is symbolic to me of a tree and how it begins to branch outward. From there, I design and build the other surrounding shapes. Constantly paying attention to the positive /negative spaces and the beauty and depth in how they’ll be related.

During the trail, hoping to bring the viewer into a painting that feels as if its floating because of the integration of circular and straight angular shapes. Wanting the viewer to feel the power.  For me,  it’s a representation of liberation. The calling continues during the transformation.

Using a composed surface of abstract styled graffiti, I wanted to artistically push the boundaries (within myself) using more explosive bold colored brush strokes to super fine lines on the painted surface. As with most of my paintings, that constant weaving in and out of colors, global thoughts expressed in backward words and the use of rhythmic lines and forms - all to create a lyrical symphony.   

An addition of spray paint to outline the variety of materials used in my painting from traditional paint brushes, enamel paints, chains, ropes, letters, wood, etc.

While always looking to go beyond - Nothing is out of bounds in my studio.

It’s always spontaneous when the trail ends - The Power of the Journey.

Project Interpretation (2023) | Oil, spray paint and enamel on canvas shaped stretcher | $11,000

One of my latest vibrant, color-filled multifaceted shaped paintings.

A large bold, radical and elaborate painting that features a defined new shape, part of my iconic style. 

I’ve created many shaped paintings over the past four plus decades. This is the first painting designed constructed and painted as where I can alter, move the two sections around which aids in a different look.

The process begins on my studio floor, my large sketch pad so to speak, and the  creative design process of my painting stretchers begin. Starting with scraps of thin lumber, in different lengths to form varying shapes and forms. As I’m creating the actual shape, the trail begins. This may take place over a few days or weeks. A calling comes to me during the trail. For this piece, I’m steadily adding, taking away and manipulating the shape. Consistently changing it to create an innovative order. Part of the joy is when the shape suddenly feels absolute. 

As for the formation and creation of this particular shape - It began with the mid right shape/form From there, I design and build the other surrounding shapes. Constantly paying attention to the positive /negative spaces and the beauty and depth in how they’ll be related. 

With each shape/painting the creative task at hand for me can quite a challenge in which love, but at the same time can be scary because what I see and feel may not work the way as what I would hope.

This shape in particular because in creating the left side in which I intentional spacial separated from the right. The challenge and later beauty was no matter which way I turn that shape it worked for me worked as a hole.

Hanging on that creative artist mountain ledge as always, I decided to go for the dive off the cliff and create a painting which I could rotate the left side of the painting which allows it to be interpreted differently.

During the trail, hoping to bring the viewer/collector a sense of artistic freedom/power to hang the painting in way that fit their need without compromise integrity of the overall artwork. For me, it’s a representation of liberation.

Using a composed surface of my lyrical abstract style, I look to artistically push the boundaries (within myself) using more explosive overall heavier bold colored brush strokes Dominated by red, blues and variation of browns throwing in a vibrant yellow enamel paint weaved and layered on top of much of the spray painted surface. As with most of my paintings, that constant weaving in and out of colors, global thoughts expressed in backward words and the use of rhythmic lines and forms - all to create a lyrical symphony.  

 An addition of spray paint to outline the variety of materials used in my painting from traditional paint brushes, enamel paints, chains, ropes, letters, wood, etc.       

While always looking to go beyond - Nothing is out of bounds in my studio.

It’s always spontaneous when the trail ends - The Power of the Journey.