Statement
Derek McLarty is a Canadian artist known for his contemplative paintings of intimate urban spaces. Skilled realism paintings of conventionally unremarkable spaces provide a sense of familiarity, an acceptance of calmness, and a welcome pause for the viewer. Throughout his artistic career, McLarty developed a preference for subject matter such as deserted halls, stairwells, offices and classrooms. Now, the recent inclusion of humans interacting in their urban landscapes has given us reason to reflect on McLarty's shift from private to public tableaus. While privacy and solitude were previous markers of McLarty's work, we now cross the boundary into the human element in these landscapes, which adds an exciting layer of complexity.
Derek McLarty is a Canadian artist known for his contemplative paintings of intimate urban spaces. Skilled realism paintings of conventionally unremarkable spaces provide a sense of familiarity, an acceptance of calmness, and a welcome pause for the viewer. Throughout his artistic career, McLarty developed a preference for subject matter such as deserted halls, stairwells, offices and classrooms. Now, the recent inclusion of humans interacting in their urban landscapes has given us reason to reflect on McLarty's shift from private to public tableaus. While privacy and solitude were previous markers of McLarty's work, we now cross the boundary into the human element in these landscapes, which adds an exciting layer of complexity.