CARMEN MCNALL
Using a unique process that combines painting and wood-carving, McNall’s work balances intricate patterns and textured mark making bound by organic shapes against stretches of pure pigment. Her practice relates directly to the handmade in both subject matter and execution opening a dialogue on the relationship between people, their environments, and what inherently fastens us to our surroundings, examining the empowering qualities these places retain.
The faceless figures in McNall’s work resemble Goddess like muses as they rest in dynamic yet effortless poses. Each one embodying strength, confidence and wisdom alike. The figures are adorned with a novel blend on symbolic patterns and mark making. They rest within their own elements, surrounded by a complex yet tranquil interior landscape that inhabit both ancient and futuristic realms. They act as anonymous guardians of a transcendent, yet familiar moments in time. Through this work, McNall explores the body as a vessel, a container that carries us through life, using both literal vessels such as vases and containers, as well as human forms. She investigates all that is held within our worldly form: memories, tension, energy, healing properties, intuition and how all of these aspects manifests into movement.
CARMEN MCNALL (b. 1988, Oakland, California, USA) currently lives and works in The Bay Area, CA. McNall graduated from the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Printmaking & Painting in 2013.
Solo exhibitions include: Stay A While, Glass Rice, San Francisco, CA (2024); Akephalos, Uprise Art, New York, NY (2024); Pathways of Time, Gilman Contemporary, Ketchum, ID (2023); Enfold in a Greater Space, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2022); and In Good Hands, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2021).
Group exhibitions include: In the Moment, Octavia Gallery, New Orleans, LA (2024); Potluck, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA (2024); Affinities, Dimmit Contemporary Art, Houston, TX (2023); Inaugural Show, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA (2023); Potluck, Hashimoto Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA (2023); Salt Fish, New Image Art, Los Angeles, CA (2022); Hella Good, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2022); Vessel, Hashimoto Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA (2022); New Voices, Gilman Contemporary, Ketchum, ID (2022); Embodiment, Heron Arts, San Francisco, CA (2022); Inside Patterns, Swim Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2022); Impressions of Her, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2021); The de Young Open, De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA (2020); Community, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2020); Coup D’oeil (A Glimpse), Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2020); I Saw You Post About It, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2020); Threesome, 19 Karen Contemporary Art Space, Queensland, Australia (2019); The Color of Balance, Glass Rice Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2019); Press On, Heron Arts, San Francisco, CA (2019); One Way Through, Heron Arts, San Francisco, CA (2018); Making a Mark, Slate Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2018); House Plant Show, Swim Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2018); Nevertheless, The Galallery, San Francisco, CA (2018); What Is Free, Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2018); Art Shop, Adobe Books Backroom Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2017); Colectiva Bendgy, Bendgy, São Paulo, Brazil (2017); Think Positive, RVCA VASF Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2017); NFS, Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2017); and 823-Thinking of You, Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA (2017).
Commissions & Projects include: Commissioned mural, LinkedIn, Sunnyvale, CA (2024); Commissioned mural, Mahonia Glen residential building, Santa Rosa, CA (2024); Commissioned mural, Square, Oakland, CA (2022); Google Artist in Residence Program, Google HQ, Mountain View, CA (2021); Commissioned art installation, The Four Seasons, Calistoga, CA (2020); Commissioned art installation, California Medical Association, Sacramento, CA (2019); Commissioned art installations, Google HQ, Sunnyvale, CA (2019); Meta Artist in Residence Program, Facebook HQ, Menlo Park, CA (2018).
