As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating the virtual world, I can’t help but draw parallels between my digital escapades and the real-life artistry of Marlon Mullen. Just as I traverse levels, deciphering symbols and codes to progress, Mullen does the same with the glossy covers of art books and magazines, transforming them into rich compositions that challenge our understanding of semiotics in art.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has unveiled its plans for the upcoming addition of their ongoing Projects series, featuring the artwork of self-taught artist Marlon Mullen, which will be displayed from December 14, 2024, to April 20, 2025. Mullen is renowned for his vibrant and whimsical paintings, frequently drawing inspiration from the glossy covers of art books and periodicals, where he blends text and visuals into intricate masterpieces.
Hailing from Richmond, California, Mullen has been a resident artist at the forward-thinking NIAD Art Center for four decades. This creative haven caters to artists with developmental disabilities. Initially, Mullen’s work revolved around printmaking, but as the studio began receiving regular contributions of art books in the late 2000s, he chose to concentrate on painting instead.
This upcoming exhibition showcases 25 pieces of art from the past ten years, with two fresh acquisitions by the museum included. One notable piece is Mullen’s “Untitled” from 2017 that draws inspiration from Kerry James Marshall’s cover on Artforum magazine from that same year. Throughout the collection, covers and ads from Frieze, Art in America, and Sculpture magazines are revitalized on canvas through a captivating blend of barcodes, letters, and numbers. Also, a brand-new creation inspired by MoMA’s Van Gogh: The Starry Night cover will be unveiled for the first time.
In a faithful blend of original content’s core ideas and his distinctive visual flair, Mullen’s artwork continues a rich legacy in artistic exploration. By reinterpreting radically, the artist delves into the symbolism of text, shape, and picture, inviting, as the museum suggests, an opportunity to interact with contemporary art on his unique painterly level.
Museum of Modern Art
11 W 53rd St,
New York, NY 10019
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2024-11-26 00:26