Mazlish Gallery Brooklyn: Making Space for the Self-Made Artist

Thanks to the flexibility that digital technology offers, Mazlish has been able to establish himself as both an artist and a gallerist in a busy online marketplace.

Mazlish discovered that photography was his chosen medium purely through happenstance. He found an old, but valuable, Nikon camera when he was a young musician in need of money and took it to a camera store in hopes of selling it. The proprietor offered him a newer, but gently used, Nikon in exchange.

This was still in the age of film cameras, but at the beginning of digital technology innovations, so the camera had a digital readout. Mazlish described his enlightenment, “When I started shooting, I tapped into the same deep well of creativity that propelled my music… Because it was film, I’d get contact sheets. I learned to see aesthetically.”

Photographing local NYC musicians was a natural starting point for Mazlish when he launched his career. This was a familiar world for him, a place where he had connections and found willing subjects. He later expanded his work to include shooting a wide range of portraiture and events, and soon established himself as a successful wedding photographer. 

As his interest in fine art photography grew, he realized his photos lent themselves particularly well to large-size printing. 

“One of my favorite print formats is dye sublimated aluminum. Printing within aluminum imbues a photo with an inherent richness and depth; the finished artwork is both durable and archival. And because there is no glass or plexilayer separating the image from the viewer, the photo literally seems to pop with vivid color and life.”

Mazlish admitted to a certain naiveté when he began to market his own artwork. “I’m a very trusting person, a very social person, and there are unscrupulous dealers out there and I was taken advantage of. In August of 2020 I had a revelation. I could start my own gallery, not only to sell my own work, but to sell the work of other artists who may have been traumatized by their past troubling experiences with dealers.” 

Although his motivation to start a gallery was born out of a bad experience, he hopes to contradict any residual negative feelings with a positive outlook.

As Mazlish states on his gallery’s website, “The goal is to represent artists the way that I, myself, wish to be represented. That means with integrity, honesty, and genuine caring. Ours is a community of kindred spirits, and the goal is to support one another’s success, well-being, and creative/professional growth. Art mirrors life, and as such, celebrating the journey is equally as important as reaching the destination.”

Currently, Mazlish Gallery features an eclectic group of about twenty-five artists. He defines his structure as “operating more like a collective."

"The gallery attended four art fairs in 2023, and created a wide variety of exciting pop-up exhibitions. Additionally, I offer my professional photography services in photographing my artists' works." 

Mazlish addresses the needs of both his artists and his potential collectors. He believes, “Buying a piece of art is a creative process in itself— integrating elements of interior design and lighting— and we welcome the opportunity to work together with you to achieve your ideal vision.” 

He goes on to say, “I’m a natural born adventurer/explorer.” Mazlish has applied that adventurous spirit in the making of his own work and selling the work of others. “I’ve made great friends in the process, but I’m still learning.”

Browse Mazlish Gallery on Art & Object Marketplace