CORY MCMAHON THESIS EXHIBITION OPENS FEBRUARY 26

 Cory McMahon Photo PaintThisDesert


FIELD NOTES: Cory McMahon is a painter who carries a peaceful aura. Don’t be fooled. His experimental work is a fury of strategic risks. Coming in the UNLV MFA Studio Art program he was known for his large-scale abstraction. One time he has an earlier work, a large painting, on the back wall of then CAC gallery for a group show. It caught the eye of art critic Dave Hickey, who was sitting on his throne across the room waiting to chat up “25 Women: Essays on Their Art.” Hickey looked up from his cup of coffee, saw the large canvas with fierce brush strokes and, in that Southern one-part-warm two-part-grumble,  asked whoever was listening:  “Who the hell did that? . . . It’s good.”
 
During his time at UNLV McMahon looked to go further. When the graduate students held an open house, he checked out hardbound dissertations from the UNLV library and stacked them in a display window. He called the installation ‘An Investigation of Analysis of. . .”  McMahon even left his safe house of painting for his midway to explore ideas. That exhibition wasn’t what was expected.
 
So, what? I thought. That’s the point, isn’t it? To take chances.
 
McMahon's thesis show opens February 26.  From his description, he is exploring the ideas of artist intent.  I am looking forward to what he says about that through his art. The reception is March 9.  
 
 
Cory McMahon
“Perfect Form”
February 26 - March 10
Reception March 9, 2018