Unveiling the World of
WHIMSY and CONNECTION
Mallory Battista ’ s Journey through Public Art BY MELODY FYRE
Photo by Megan Kennedy
In the world of art , there are creators who venture beyond the confines of a studio , seeking to infuse life into public spaces , leaving their indelible mark on the urban landscape . Enter Mallory Battista , a multifaceted artist who directs most of her artistic focus toward the creation of public art pieces that speak to the heart of communities . With an arsenal of mediums at her disposal and an unquenchable passion for both creativity and collaboration , Battista has garnered attention for her ability to turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary visual stories .
Embracing versatility as a cornerstone of her practice , Battista seamlessly shifts between materials , each adding a unique layer to her artistic voice . Battista has a few reasons for this . Primarily , like many artists , Mallory loves what she does — and she loves to learn — so expanding to new techniques holds an element of enthusiasm and novelty that shows through in many of her pieces .
“ I enjoy using a variety of media because it keeps things interesting and challenging , and I can use the materials that are best suited to the latest concept , even if it ’ s new territory . Most artists I know like to try all the things , and I guess I ’ m no different . I can get really enamored by different materials and I used to feel that using unique materials and methods would make my work stand out .” Like her work itself , Battista ’ s view on her mixed media outlook has evolved over the years . “ Now I have grown to feel that the materials are less impactful than what you say with them .” This realization has led her to focus more on the story beneath the surface , while still indulging her fascination with a myriad of mediums . Her fearless dive into uncharted territories , such as her first mosaic sculpture , keeps her creative juices flowing , enriching her perspective , and expanding her artistic toolbox .
“ I just finished building a 14 ’ x 6 ’ mosaic concrete sculpture with Lisa Soranaka which was installed on North Monroe .” Battista ’ s most recent project , titled “ Sun Shines Through ,” was a group effort completed during a residency at the Hive in the University District of Spokane . There Battista and
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