ARTIST STATEMENT

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ARTIST BIO

Massey began his art career by working in the comic book industry, illustrating science fiction and war stories. In the 1970's he worked for the Franklin Mint, producing the first commemorative medal, a Douglas MacArthur memorial medal, as well as over 200 other medallic designs. More recently he designed a commemorative medal for the Atlanta Olympic Games. Using watercolors and acrylics, many of Massey's best known works are his paintings of statuesque Africans in native costume.

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PRESS RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, PA, (May 24, 2010) ArtJaz Gallery is pleased to present Artist, Cal Massey in a solo exhibition entitled “Universal Mystery; An Abstract View”. This exhibition of paintings will be on display at ArtJaz Gallery, June 4 through June 30th. The artist reception will be held on First Friday, June 4th 5-8pm.

An active painter at the age of 84, Cal Massey has been an artist most of his life. At the early age of 4 years he began his artistic journey by drawing and tracing comic books. A Philadelphia native, Cal Massey was raised in Upper Darby. He graduated from the Hussian School of Art in 1950. His first job after graduation was an illustrator for Marvel Comics. He later became a designer and sculptor for the Philadelphia Franklin Mint and created over 200 designs including the first commemorative medal honoring General Arthur MacArthur. Massey is known nationally for his positive images of African Americans, especially women, depicting their strength, pride and beauty. Whether painting realism or abstraction, Massey paints from his inspiration. The Universe and the planets have long inspired him, evidenced by his works in this new exhibition, “Universal Mystery; An Abstract View”.

In this exhibit” Universal Mystery; An Abstract View” the audience will gain insight from an artist who has gone spiritually within through contemplation and meditation to create an explosion of color and form of the universe that he envisions. Massey’s imagination becomes all too real as his paintings become inspiration for thought and reflection for the viewer.

ArtJaz Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery, specializing in the art of emerging and established artists of African Descent in Philadelphia and throughout the United States, “Universal Mystery; An Abstract View” by Cal Massey, will be on exhibit June 4- 30th, 2010. The opening will be held on Friday, June 4 from 5pm –8pm. For more information call 215 922-4800 or visit www.artjaz.com. #######

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EDUCATION

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AWARDS

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INTERVIEW

At age 83, artist Cal Massey has been busy drawing or painting for 79 years. “I’ve been drawing every since I was 4 years old,” said the esteemed illustrator from his Moorestown, N.J. home and studio. “I paint almost every. I’m still very active. It’s a labor of love and it’s one of those things that with this kind of blessing when God gives it to you and you don’t use it with great respect then God take it away from you. I’ve been using it ever since I discovered it when I was 4 years old.”

Massey started drawing by tracing newspaper comic strips held up to the window of his childhood home in Upper Darby. When he graduated from the Hussain School of Art in Philadelphia in 1950 he immediately landed a job with Marvel Comics. “When I came out of school, I supported myself illustrating comic books for three different publishing companies,” recalled Massey. “That’s where I met Stan Lee.”

In addition to advertising agencies in Philadelphia and New York, Massey created illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post. Eventually, he joined the Franklin Mint as a designer and sculptor creating over 200 designs including the Mint’s first commemorative medal honoring General Arthur MacArthur. Massey joined a world league of 13 artists to design the 1966 commemorative medal for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta titled, “The High Jump.” The medal remains the only medal that feature an athlete of color.

Throughout his career, Massey has focused on representing the African-American community with inner strength, pride and determination. One of Massey’s most popular works, “Angel Heart,” was inspired by the lack of Black angels in traditional artwork. Another of his popular paintings is called “Patriots of African Descent” which depicts the continued feeling of nobility and spirituality in Massey’s work.

“It’s very rare to find a Black artist that made his living entirely through his gift,” explained Massey. “I’ve met so many artists that are struggling all the time. There are groups of artist out there that have their own little categories, and they would put you down and try to separate fine art from commercial art. There is no difference: Art is art. You can’t give it name and claim one is not art and one is art. Even a little baby that picks up something and makes a mark on a two dimensional surface makes a piece of fine art. The gift is creative. The whole function of life itself is to change. Obama proved that — so in art, music, performing arts and visual art is changing all the time. Everything is being recreated into a new kind of way of looking at thing and doing things.”

Massey also credits his longtime marriage to fellow artist Iris Massey as a source of inspiration. “Art is an expression of how I feel,” said Iris. “I like to reflect hopefulness, joy and color in my work and I always hope that on seeing it, others will feel this also.”

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