2021

Honorable Mention

Michael Jones McKean

My work explores the nature of forming objects in relation to folklore, technology, anthropology, and mysticism. My sculptures court an interest in deep time, timescales and their collapse, in the process decentering anthropocentric registrations of meaning and event.

McKean, The Commune

The Commune 7x7x3' 2019 A project for Super Dutchess, a small, street level gallery located in the Lower East Side on Orchard street

McKean, The Fall

The Fall 102x66x29" 2019 Hermetic chamber actively modeling an ancient atmosphere from the Cambrian period, 485-540 million years ago - the moment all earthly life can be traced back to a common ancestor— enshrouded in air/atmosphere

McKean, The Ground

The Ground 60x16x15' 2017 dimensional lumber, steel, plaster, paint, burlap, lighting, artificial plants, plastic, wigs, prosthetic silicone, acrylic eyes, fabric, makeup, clay, dirt, sand, rags, resin, grout, urethane, bed, funerary bouquet, hazer, climate control chambers. Containing: elements, minerals, vegetal/seed samples, rocks, meteorite fragments, marine samples, fossils, Atlantic Coastal Plain artifacts

McKean, The Ground (detail)

The Ground (detail) 60x16x15' 2017 dimensional lumber, steel, plaster, paint, burlap, lighting, artificial plants, plastic, wigs, prosthetic silicone, acrylic eyes, fabric, makeup, clay, dirt, sand, rags, resin, grout, urethane, bed, funerary bouquet, hazer, climate control chambers. Containing: elements, minerals, vegetal/seed samples, rocks, meteorite fragments, marine samples, fossils, Atlantic Coastal Plain artifacts

McKean, Proxima Centauri

Proxima Centauri b. 74x40.5x2" 2017 A cold-cast, metallic alloy, wall sculpture depicting a group of anthropologically diverse hand axes embedded in a carved, low-relief solar panel. This work — one of 9 others within the series — was exploring the nature of forming objects in relation to folklore, technology, anthropology, and mysticism

McKean, The Ceremony

The Ceremony 70x74x9" 2013 From the exhibition 'Seven Sculptures' at Horton Gallery, in New York City

McKean, The Ceremony (detail)

The Ceremony (detail) 70x74x9" 2013 From the exhibition 'Seven Sculptures' at Horton Gallery, in New York City

McKean, Sister Giving Birth

Sister Giving Birth 84x84x39" 2013 A sculpture depicting an ancient olive tree in the throes of both death and renewal, fabricated in stainless steel and resin. Growing from its trunk, a wonky psychedelic ring suspending a hair braid then re-sculpted in low relief, which levitates near a circle-form

McKean, The Commune (detail)

The Commune (detail) 7x7x3' 2019 A project for Super Dutchess, a small, street level gallery located in the Lower East Side on Orchard street

McKean, The Religion

The Religion 36x8.5x8' 2013 Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Alfred, NY