JC McCarthy

This artwork melds abstract and representational elements into a composition reminiscent of a tapestry interwoven with patterns, lines and shapes. The solid blocks of white paint form the basis for the shape of the “homemade hat” of the title - a tall cone with flowing, checkered fabric falling to the sides of a faintly suggested child’s face, while the hat is held in place by hands rendered in sparse gold lines. Motifs such as stars, geometric shapes, and figures from the natural world contribute to the narrative and mystical qualities while suggesting multiple dimensions of human fertility - from imaginative creation to social and technological evolution, as well as the physical journey from conception through death - positioning individual existence as a microcosm of the mysterious and timeless forces of the universe.
This piece was inspired by the memory of my young son and I making a hat for him to wear in a class performance.

Mixed media on paper 13.5 x 19.75