The
sculptures of Michael Jones McKean articulate the poetic
potential in objects, materials, their arrangement, and the possibility
of a larger narrative or allegorical structure. Appealing to our imaginations
while seeking to re-articulate our ancient involvement with forms, meaning,
representation, and poetics, McKean often compresses artifacts of power
(a throne, a massive boom box, and a chainsaw) and epic failure (boat
fragments, a Dwight Gooden Jersey, a conquistador helmet, relics from
Russian space disasters, and allusions to modernist aesthetics) with natural
materials (Mississippi slit, a meteorite, a wood plank, and clay). The
resulting sculptures skid across time by gathering disparate objects into
unifying constellations.
Michael Jones McKean (b. 1976, Truk Island, Micronesia) lives and works in Richmond, VA. He received a MFA from Alfred University, Alfred, NY and a BFA from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. A recipient of numerous awards, McKean has been granted fellowships and residencies at The Core Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; The Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center; The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts; Central Michigan University as the Stephen L. Barstow Fellow; and The Archie Bray Foundation. He recently received the Nancy Graves Foundation Award in 2005 and the Artadia Award in 2006. He has also received The Jeanne C. Thayer Fellowship in the Arts along with four State Arts Commission grants including an Emerging Artist Fellowship. His recent solo exhibitions include SUNDAY, New York; a solo project at the NADA Art Fair (SUNDAY); Diverseworks, Houston; Grand Arts, Kansas City, MO; and Project Gentili, Prato, Italy. His work will be featured in upcoming solo exhibitions at the University of Illinois, Springfield and Threewalls, Chicago. IL.
Exhibitions / Images:
Solo Project: NADA Art Fair Miami
The Discipline of Astronomy and Wind
The Ornament of Fire
More Information:
Resume [PDF]
Selected Press:
Edgeworth, Matthew. The wake the saint the sound the branch. (catalogue)
Hanley, William. "Editor's Picks: Open Season in New York." Artinfo.com.
Johnson, Paddy. "Risk Taking at NADA." Art Fag City.
Lee, Sasha. "Miami Art Fair Report: NADA Art Fair." Beautiful Decay.
Lee, Sasha. "Michael Jones McKean." Beautiful Decay.
Rosenberg, Karen. "Michael Jones McKean." The New York Times.
Rosenberg, Karen. "Fall Preview: LES is More." New York Magazine.
Sholis, Brian. "Conventional Center." Artforum Diary.
Whited, Michelle. "Michael Jones McKean." Art Papers.
_____. "Michael Jones McKean" Exibart.tv
External Links:
Artist's Website
Project Gentili; Prato, Italy
Michael Jones McKean (b. 1976, Truk Island, Micronesia) lives and works in Richmond, VA. He received a MFA from Alfred University, Alfred, NY and a BFA from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. A recipient of numerous awards, McKean has been granted fellowships and residencies at The Core Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; The Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center; The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts; Central Michigan University as the Stephen L. Barstow Fellow; and The Archie Bray Foundation. He recently received the Nancy Graves Foundation Award in 2005 and the Artadia Award in 2006. He has also received The Jeanne C. Thayer Fellowship in the Arts along with four State Arts Commission grants including an Emerging Artist Fellowship. His recent solo exhibitions include SUNDAY, New York; a solo project at the NADA Art Fair (SUNDAY); Diverseworks, Houston; Grand Arts, Kansas City, MO; and Project Gentili, Prato, Italy. His work will be featured in upcoming solo exhibitions at the University of Illinois, Springfield and Threewalls, Chicago. IL.
Exhibitions / Images:
Solo Project: NADA Art Fair Miami
The Discipline of Astronomy and Wind
The Ornament of Fire
More Information:
Resume [PDF]
Selected Press:
Edgeworth, Matthew. The wake the saint the sound the branch. (catalogue)
Hanley, William. "Editor's Picks: Open Season in New York." Artinfo.com.
Johnson, Paddy. "Risk Taking at NADA." Art Fag City.
Lee, Sasha. "Miami Art Fair Report: NADA Art Fair." Beautiful Decay.
Lee, Sasha. "Michael Jones McKean." Beautiful Decay.
Rosenberg, Karen. "Michael Jones McKean." The New York Times.
Rosenberg, Karen. "Fall Preview: LES is More." New York Magazine.
Sholis, Brian. "Conventional Center." Artforum Diary.
Whited, Michelle. "Michael Jones McKean." Art Papers.
_____. "Michael Jones McKean" Exibart.tv
External Links:
Artist's Website
Project Gentili; Prato, Italy