Michael McGrath Summons Symbolism and a Folk Art Style in Expressive Paintings

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  • Nov 6.

Michael McGrath Summons Symbolism and a Folk Art Style in Expressive Paintings

From fanged cats and all-seeing ravens to anthropomorphized botanicals and disembodied faces, Michael McGrath’s uncanny works nod to the symbol-rich, flat compositions of folk art or “naïve” painting. His mixed-media works combine materials like graphite, oil paint and oil stick, ink, and acrylic on a variety of surfaces, including wood, canvas, and burlap.

Inspired by the expansive scenes of contemporary artists Peter Doig and Mamma Andersson, and self-taught artists Henry Darger (1892-1973) and William Hawkins (1895-1990), McGrath harnessed a narrative approach in his own practice. “I decided to experiment with figures and storytelling in my painting,” he tells Colossal. He also counts Jim Henson among his influences.

a folk-art-inspired drawing of a bat-like creature with eight arms, a yellow house, two hands dripping liquid from the top, plus trees and cats
“Threats and competition for tiny vampires” (2023), graphite, colored pencil, and India ink on wood panel, 14 x 11 inches

Populated with an array of characters, from trees with alarmed expressions to tiny, fairy-like black critters with bulbous wings and long legs, McGrath delves into mysterious, emotional tales with plots as enigmatic as they are supernatural.

The artist’s interest in painting evolved from an early fascination with design, especially album covers and advertising in magazines like Spin and Thrasher. “I never had the patience to develop classical skills, so I focused on dimensional and collage work for a while, until I eventually decided to invest more time in painting,” he says.

McGrath’s work will be part of an online group show with MePaintsMe, Slight of Hand, which opens on November 12. In February, he will also have pieces on view in a group show at Court Tree Collective in Brooklyn. Find more on his website and Instagram.

a folk-art inspired painting of a bat-like creature with big, round winds, standing amids other figures and symbolks
“Monster control, future systems No. 3,” (2024), acrylic, oil stick, and oil on canvas, 78 x 120 inches
a painting of a figure in a white dress with white fairy-like creatures fluttering around and patterning the dress
“Night float, threat window” (2024), oil and oil stick on canvas, 60 x 48 inches
a folk art-inspired painting of a black crow diving downward on a pink background, with eyes and clouds in the background
“Hunting songs” (2024), oil, oil stick, and grease pencil on linen, 30 x 24 inches
a collaged painting of folk-art inspired forms like a moth figure, sun, moon, and plants
“Muppet moon nightmare choir” (2024), acrylic, acrylic yarn, embroidery thread, painted canvas, and burlap on burlap, 40 x 30 inches
a folk art-inspired painting of a figure in a white dress with black fairy-like creatures fluttering around and patterning the dress
“Moon float” (2024), acrylic, watercolor crayon, enamel, and oil pastel on canvas, 60 x 48 inches
an abstract, folk-art inspired painting of a bat-like creature
“Stories to frighten your children with and dangerous literature” (2023), oil, oil pastel, and acrylic on linen, 30 x 40 inches
a folk-art-inspired painting of a black cat looking at an abstract object or animal in the sky with eye-like details, with plants and a house in the distance
“Cat song, moon riot, No. 2” (2024), oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

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