> DESCRIPTION
Roberts & Tilton is pleased to present the site-specific loft
installation by San Francisco based artist Barry McGee.
McGee takes over the project space, transforming the
room’s physical relationship with the visitor into an
interactive viewing. A distinctive cluster of McGee’s various
paintings, works on paper and urban objects can be accessed
by ascending through the floor of the utilitarian structure to
the lofted space above.
Working on the streets of San Francisco and signing his
works with the tag, "Twist," Barry McGee is considered to be
one of the leading artistic figures in California youth
subculture. The artist draws his force and inspiration from
the contrast and tension that exists between the city center
and the suburbs, between the wealthy districts and the
slums. His visual language is at the same time eclectic,
ephemeral, radical and above all heavily influenced by the
daily realities of the city. McGee’s complex installations
convey a sense of vitality and chaos, juxtaposed with a
precarious nature and sense of alienation. Large scale wall
murals, clusters of small framed drawings and snapshots,
various tools and other street detritus make their way into
his installations in an almost symphonic fashion. Intricate
paintings are executed then rolled over with latex paint,
echoing the "buffs" that cover graffiti in urban areas.
Clusters of glass bottles hang in a corner with painted
portraits of characters of the night. In recent years, McGee
has exhibited his works internationally to great acclaim.