By Karli Wallace
Staff Writer
Junior Mazzy MacGregor thought outside the box in his recent art exhibit that was showcased at Mira Costa and displayed his unique style of street art.
MacGregor creates art by designing stencils based upon the motif of social justice. He focuses his work on local and topical events that are changing the world. His work features a range of colors, patterns and underlying messages and was showcased from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Room 60.
For more information (via tumblr) : https://www.tumblr.com/blog/whatwallacewritesonlv
“I just feel like my art is centered around social injustice issues because it’s so prevalent in the news and people’s lives during this time,” MacGregor said. “It is so important to me because art has an impact on people, and I like to get some issues shown through all the art.”
MacGregor has been creating art since he was two years old. However, it wasn’t until the end of freshman year that he discovered a love for his current stencil-street art style. MacGregor had more than 40 pieces of art displayed in Room 60 for Costa students and teachers to see. His work is also available for purchase on http://mazinart.squarespace.com and can be viewed on social media platforms including Instagram.
“I’ve been raised on doing a lot of art; I have been doing it for a long time, but stencil art was different for me,” MacGregor said. “I took a break from art for a while, but stenciling and street art ignited that spark that I had for it. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it makes me happy when I do it.”
MacGregor’s method for creating his own personal stencils is a multi-step process. First, MacGregor creates a file on Photoshop based upon either a news story, outside reference or allusion. Then, he prints out a larger stencil and places it over a canvas. He uses spray paint, adding his own personalized artistic details as he works.
For more of MacGregor’s art: http://mazinart.squarespace.com
“The process of creating my art means a lot to me,” Macgregor said. “It takes up a lot of energy to think up a design, stencil it out, and then see how it actually turns out once it is sprayed and finished. This process is meaningful to me because it pays off to see the work I’ve done turn into something I am proud of and something with significance.”
Mira Costa students lounge in MacGregor’s temporary gallery during AM Office Hours on Wednesday, December 7th. MacGregor’s work is also featured on his website, http://mazinart.squarespace.com
Before his current exhibit at Costa, MacGregor had never showcased his work in a formal gallery. Katherine Martin, one of Costa’s art teachers, saw MacGregor’s potential in the work he’d created in her Advanced Placement Studio Art class. Martin later suggested that MacGregor showcase his work that he created in Costa’s own gallery.
“Ms. Martin really got me out there in the public,” MacGregor said. “There were some open weeks for the gallery that needed to be filled in, and she knew I had an abundance of work. She asked me if I could fill in those weeks, and I said yes. It was her idea, and I’m happy that I got a chance to show my work to everyone around me.”
Some world events that MacGregor has drawn inspiration from include the Syrian refugee crisis, the Palestinian- Israeli conflict and the oppresion of minorities in the United States. Macgregor’s favorite piece that he’s made based on world events is his painting of a Syrian refugee named Raouf holding a peace sign. Macgregor met Raouf in July of 2016 when he travelled to Jordan with his mother.
“This piece has a powerful meaning to me because of its strong symbol of peace and innocence through this refugee who could end up spending his childhood living in a refugee camp,” Macgregor said.
MacGregor aims to expand his exposure to art by finishing his second semester at Pasadena Art Center College, a community art college, studying the art of figure drawing. After graduating from Costa, MacGregor plans on applying to collegiate art schools and continuing to sell and create his street-stencil art.
For more information about ArtCenter College of Design: http://www.artcenter.edu
“I love art, and I’m hoping that I can keep creating it in the future.” MacGregor said. “ I feel like I can really express myself, and it just feels amazing to do so in an actual gallery setting.”
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