Rosalux Gallery presents new work by contemporary painter Shawn McNulty in the upcoming March show “Scuffle & Scrape.” Exhibit runs: March 3-April 2, 2011 Opening Reception: Saturday, March 12, 2011, 7-11 PM
The artist had an interesting 2010. Setai Fifth Avenue, a new luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan, acquired 200 prints on paper sized at 30×30” to be displayed throughout their establishment. M&M’s is using one of his paintings in a national ad campaign which will run in March and April of 2011 for their “Blue M&M” promotion.
This is the first show by the founding Rosalux member in the new Northeast Minneapolis location. The title is derived from McNulty’s unique process of applying paint with large, commercial grade palette knives. Thick layers of acrylic and pumice and are applied, scraped off, reapplied, sliced off, etc. There’s a technique he created and refers to as “scuffling” which involves a repetitive chopping motion with the palette knife resulting in approximate parallel lines. There are incidental vertical drips that connect the horizontal lines when thinner paint is used. The color fields interplay with each other, attempting to find common ground resulting in complex and interesting edges.
It’s no mystery that Abstract Expressionism is an influence on the artist, specifically Hans Hofmann’s “Push Pull Theory,” in which the illusion of space, depth, and movement can be created abstractly using color and shape, rather than representational forms. McNulty sees his style as a combination of action and color field painting. The end result often looks like a color field painting, however, on closer inspection the viewer finds there are jagged fragments of color and form from underlying layers that the artist refers to as “skirmishes.” These skirmishes convey energy, and the result is a combination of tranquility and vitality; Unbridled energy breaking through a serene pool.
Rosalux Gallery is open Thursdays & Fridays from 4-8 p.m., Saturdays from 2-6 p.m., and admission is free. For more information on the Rosalux Art Collective and to see examples of the artists work
Shawn McNulty is an artist in Minneapolis, MN.
Image: Scuffle and Scrape – Shawn McNulty
Shawn McNulty Studio
1618 Central Ave NE #217
Minneapolis, MN 55413
www.shawnmcnulty.com
