Note
Notes: Archives 2014.067.0010
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MAZZEO
by Margarita Dulac
Soldiers are awarded medals for bravery, but artists, who fight a spiritual battle everyday, seldom get rewarded. Theirs is a very special kind of courage. An artist needs a hide like a rhino. They have to be great egotists, merely to stay alive. If they're fortunate, they find support in their wives.
Mazzeo is a survivor. Born March 2, 1904 in Frejus, France, he was brought by his parents to New Jersey when six years old. A well-known artist, active in artistic circles for the last 30 years, his art workshop at 934 Washington is a magnet for art lovers.
Almost any day, he can be seen walking his faithful Shepherd dog, Michele, on Washington St., greeting friends along the way. When one eats at a restaurant near his studio, landscapes of France by Mazzeo greet one’s eye.
Knocking on his door, with a flurry of barkings and a pleasant bustle, one enters. The artist, distinguished, greyhaired, with a Van Dyck goatee and sharp blue eyes, in a corduroy coat, nuts you at ease at once. Intelligent, forceful, lively, he shows you his gallery. One is amazed at the variety and extent of his productions. Strong draughtsmanship, a splendid sense of form and design, glowing color. His portraits are realistic, excellent likenesses, his landscapes worthy of Courbet. Other creations, abstract paintings and sculptures, show the Cubist and Expressionist influences.
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page 2
One marvels at the versatility of this greatly talented man. Trained by his father to be a barrel-maker, he early learned, as a boy, to practice good crafts manship, Leaving school in the eighth grade, he helped support a family of seven At 16, he joined the navy. The rough life and discipline, the travelling, opened new vistas. At 22, he became an errand boy for a display co., and studied nights at the Cooper Union. He made rapid headway in the display business. Soon he was assistant manager for display in A.S. Beck Co. He later worked for many Fifth Av. stores.
In 1941 he freelanced and since then has turned out portraits, murals, posters, signs, all very professional. He has done portraits of many prominent people, and murals for homes, restaurants and colleges One of his most ambitious murals is in Seton Hall University.
Besides turning out all this work, his interest in people led him to teach in Hoboken High School, Jewish Community Center, etc. One of his more interesting activities was that of art director for the Jersey City Museum. He has had solo shows at the Jersey City Museum, Guild of the Creative Arts, etc. He has received awards in the Jersey Painters and Sculptors' shows in which he exhibits annually.
What medals are to a soldier, this Retrospective is to Mazzeo. The facets of his personality, his talent are emblazoned on his work. This will be an excellent occasion for the astute art lover to pick a painting or sculpture to decorate his home. Art is a good investment. Its value increases from year to year.
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page 3
Mazzeo is an artist to watch. Artists do their best work in the 50's, 60's and 70's. The late Cezannes were the best, and attracted record crowds at the Museum of Modern Art recently.
The last few years Mazzeo has invented art forms of his own, Abstract sculpt- ures which combine the rhythmn end three-dimensionality of free forms with the more striking elements of painting.These sculpto-paintings, as I call them, are excellent decorations for the home or whatever. Made of papier-mache, wood and wire, they are light, easy to carry.
Mazzeo, today, is vigorous and in top form. A youthful creative spirit, love of people and life has kept him young. He is ready to tackle anything, and whosoever gives him a commission, whether for a portrait, mural, or sculpture, will have a source of beauty and joy forever.
So come, my friend, meet the artist, have a drink, have a dip, and don't forget that the greatest compliment for art is when you buy it.
Over the past twenty years, the artist has continuously strived to make the transition from realism to abstract expressionism with the feeling that therein lay the road to creative and individual expression. He believed that he could never be able to reach nor surpass the many competent artists of the past and present school of realism, and so has attempted to create his own means of expression.
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[curriculum vitae]
Dominque (sic - Dominique] Francois Mazzeo
Born in Frejus, France - March 2, 1904
Studied:
Art Students League
Leonardo D'Avinci [sic - Da Vinci] Art School
Hoboken Industrial School
Cooper Union
New York Industrial School of Art
Instructors:
Attilio Piccirilli
Falanga
Starkweather
Leopold Matzal
Thomas Benton
Boardman Robinson
Haeffner (Sculpture)
Industrial Background:
Asst. Display Mgr. - A.S. Beck Shoe Corp.
Display Artist/Designer - Shenker Displays
Display Designer - Arnold Constable
Display Director - Sylvor Company
Display Director - Merchandising
Displays Free Lance Artist/Designer
Art Chairman & Director - Jersey City Museum, Department of Fine Arts
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Exhibitions:
Jersey City Museum
Montclair Museum
Painters' & Sculptors Society of New Jersey
Hudson Artists
North Hudson Art League
Group Thirteen
Guild of Creative Arts
Artist's Work Shop
Old Bergen Art Guild
Atelier Cinq
Waldheim Stevens Forum
Awards:
Montclair Museum
Hudson Artists
Painters' & Sculptors Society of New Jersey
New Jersey Council of Elders
New Jersey Governor's Mansion "Morven"
Hudson County, Hoboken Council of Elders
Outdoor Shows
Art Instructions at:
Jersey City Y.M.C.A.
Jersey City Jewish Community Center
Jersey City Women's Club
Hoboken Night High School
Private Teaching
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Status: OK
Status By: Webster, David
Status Date: 2014-10-23
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