Thomas McDonell Spotlights Utilitarian Charm in ‘Figueroa St. Paintings’

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As a seasoned art enthusiast with a soft spot for pieces that breathe life into the mundane, I must say, Europa’s solo exhibition by Thomas McDonell has left me utterly captivated. The fusion of painting and sculpture in Figueroa St. Paintings is nothing short of mesmerizing, much like the ever-evolving cityscape of Los Angeles itself.

As a dedicated admirer, I’m excited to share that I’m part of the audience for Thomas McDonell’s solo exhibition at Europa. This showcase unveils a fresh collection of paintings and sculptures by this remarkable artist-actor. In his latest series titled “Figueroa St. Paintings“, he casts a curious gaze at the dynamic cityscape of Los Angeles, breathing life into everyday materials.

For McDonell, the pleasure is in the pragmatic. Traces of scratching fingernails on the surface of the canvas suggest a clash between the artist and his work, as confident gestures and handprints are held together in thick layers of discarded industrial house paint.

Artworks in painting and sculpture show an overlapping effect due to the artist’s focus on texture. At the heart of the gallery, you’ll find ceramic works embellished with intricate calligraphic lines and a deep, glossy coating. The bases for these pieces are fashioned from newspaper rolls, which were originally used at the Los Angeles Flower Market to wrap bouquets.

Figueroa Street Artwork evokes a sense reminiscent of Soetsu Yanagi, the Japanese philosopher and aesthete, who found beauty in ordinary items. Moved by an ancient temple situated near his Figueroa street studio, McDonnell contemplates the transformation of his immediate surroundings over time, as they are continually sculpted and reshaped by the river that flows past them.

The exhibition is on view at Europa in New York through October 13, 2024.

Europa
125 Division St,
New York, NY 10002

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2024-09-21 00:55