For the McQueens, it’s evident that creativity runs in the family. Showcasing work in his first solo exhibition, Gary James McQueen is set to captivate art world cognoscenti.
Since growing up on a council estate in a working-class suburb of east London, Gary James McQueen has frequently channeled his creativity through art and fashion. Dealing with the complexities of adolescence alongside the tragedy of his father’s death, the multidisciplinary artist turned to his uncle – Alexander Lee McQueen – for aid and support.
“Despite the challenges that the global art market has been facing since the pandemic, there is a sense of energy and unstoppable growth in the United States that never faded and keeps inspiring creatives from all over the world.”
Having spent seven years working for Alexander McQueen’s menswear department, the creative was promoted to head textile designer. However, fashion was never Gary’s sole outlet. While working for his uncle’s brand, he was also busy finessing his unique fine art practice. Now, Gary James McQueen has just announced his first solo show in the United States at West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin, Texas.
Speaking to Mission, Gary James McQueen said: “I am eager to present my work to a broader audience, and I have had the United States on my radar for quite some time. I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my first solo show at West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin, Texas, which has such a vibrant art scene and unique cultural offering. Despite the challenges that the global art market has been facing since the pandemic, there is a sense of energy and unstoppable growth in the United States that never faded and keeps inspiring creatives from all over the world.”
The show will run from the 2nd of March to the 24th and will feature nineteen never-before-seen works. Through combining art, technology and fashion, the artist invites visitors to explore romantic yet gothic landscapes. From digital skull sculptures to memento mori and humanoid figures, the artist carefully juxtaposes technological techniques with traditional counterparts to create provocative, powerful outcomes.
“I am interested in exploring the transformative power of technology when juxtaposed with artistic vision and creative purpose. I am always on the lookout for mediums that allow my work to be significantly immersive, offering the viewers to escape from reality. I dream about conceiving large-scale digital environments for people to fully dive into,” explains the artist.
As a result, the pieces are certainly immersive, yet also profoundly intimate. Through delicate minutiae and subtle contextual references, the artist harkens back to his memories with his uncle. In particular, Gary recalls watching horror movies with Lee at a young age. Further strengthening their rapport, the duo watched classic foreboding films such as An American Werewolf in London, The Howling and Legend – all of which continue to inspire Gary’s work today.
“The skull served as one of the first visual representations of the topics and themes explored through my work, often to remind us of the darkness we sometimes encounter in life.”
A special highlight of the exhibition is a new series titled Talisman Skulls. Drawing upon motifs from Tibetan culture, skulls are carefully woven across the exhibition to symbolize prosperity and good luck. Yet, the good luck isn’t limited to pure spectatorship. For those visiting the gallery, there is an exclusive opportunity to have a one-on-one session with Gary James McQueen and collaborate with the artist to create bespoke Talisman skulls.
“The skull holds strong symbolic significance in Tibetan culture, representing the transient nature of existence and the complex cycle of birth and death. Similarly, the skull served as one of the first visual representations of the topics and themes explored through my work, often to remind us of the darkness we sometimes encounter in life. The way the role of the skull in Tibetan culture unintentionally overlaps with its significance in my art is what sparked the new Talisman Skull series,” McQueen tells Mission.
Having previously displayed work at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and other prestigious galleries around the world, the exhibition ushers in an exciting new chapter for the artist. Tapping into his personal life with his distinct dark romantic style, the exhibition is guaranteed to be a mesmerizing display of talent.
The exhibition will run from the 2nd of March to the 24th of March. For more information, please visit here. Homepage image left; Golden Icon Flesh, homepage image right; Savage Beauty. Portrait of Gary James McQueen. Inside feature page left; Nimord, inside feature page right; Flayed Angel.All images courtesy of the artist.
