Moon Riot

April 13th, 2023 - May 19th, 2023

Michael McGrath is a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer who received his BFA in Fine Art from Ithaca College. His recent work is heavily influenced by his surroundings in Rhinebeck, N.Y., where the natural beauty and rich history of the region have played a significant role in shaping his creative vision. Through his art, McGrath invites viewers on a journey that blurs the boundaries between life and death, reality and fantasy, and the physical world and the ethereal. His visual storytelling draws on a diverse range of sources, from pagan rituals to modern spiritualism and folklore, as well as practices like witchcraft and Ouija boards. By weaving together these diverse influences and repeating symbolic imagery throughout his work, McGrath encourages viewers to explore the unknown realm of mystery and mysticism with a sense of curiosity and playfulness, while still leaving room for lightheartedness and fun.

McGrath approaches the themes of fear, monsters, weather, insects, gods, and death with a childlike curiosity, infusing his art with a sense of innocence. In "Moon Riot," McGrath's deep fascination with the supernatural and its mysterious symbolism in human culture is on full display. The exhibition is not just a showcase of new works, but a culmination of McGrath's visual storytelling and vocabulary, which is shrouded in mystery and suffused with repetitive symbols and tacit meaning. Through his use of metaphor, such as enigmatic smiles and grimacing faces, and the portrayal of rarely seen or faceless human-like figures, McGrath creates a sense of magical trance or elaborate scenes that captivate the viewer's imagination. Creatures levitate in the forest or air, creating a surreal and dreamlike quality to the artwork. McGrath's innocent approach to exploring complex themes through art creates a unique and captivating experience for the viewer.

McGrath's artwork is a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and mediums. With each stroke of acrylic, oil, collage, colored pencil, and pastels, he creates layered compositions that blur the boundaries between different realms of existence. McGrath's unique interpretation of the supernatural is characterized by opaque strokes of shadow and color, creating an ethereal atmosphere that is both timeless and contemporary. Through his skilled use of color and texture, McGrath creates a sense of harmony and simultaneity in his artwork, allowing viewers to glimpse into parallel worlds and experience the sensation of living in two places at once. The absence of formal shadowing and depth perception adds to the dreamlike quality of his work, transporting viewers to a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred.

Through his evocative artwork and personal storytelling, McGrath has created a space that encourages reflection and introspection. Whether confronting our own fears or finding sanctuary in our own power, this exhibition is an opportunity to connect with our true selves and embrace the limitless potential within us all.