Know Malik McKoy's background... and check out his feline companion
Art Freak's Delight: Malik McKoy's Colorful, Confusing Chaos
By Art Freak's Delight
Straight outta Ontario and now gracing the walls of Patel Brown gallery in Montreal's Belgo Centre, Malik McKoy serves up a vibrant, thought-provoking feast for your peepers. With over a dozen canvases, McKoy's first solo exhibition in the Quebec metropolis delivers a visually striking experience that begs for multiple viewings and numerous discussions.
Unlocking the Mysteries of McKoy's Kaleidoscope
With layers upon layers of vibrant hues, McKoy's paintings are like dense, intricate puzzles waiting to be unraveled. But don't be fooled—this artist is no amateur. He's a gifted, humble talent who's been secretly experimenting and playing with his craft since his early days in Ontario.
McKoy, a 30-year-oldresentationist pursuing a master's degree in fine arts at Concordia, recently relocated to Montreal with his adorable felines in tow. His feline friends make frequent appearances in his work, further adding to the enigma that surrounds this rising star of the Montreal art scene.
A Glimpse into the Swirling Vortex
From comic books and graffiti to video game universes that have captivated McKoy's imagination, the influences on his art are as diverse as they are captivating. One look at his masterpieces, and it's hard not to be drawn in by the detailed immersion and hidden characters that lie just beneath the surface of the main action.
Bright, neon colors pop up on several works, only to be contrasted by scenes drenched in softness and blurred outlines. It's a jarring contrast that hints at something ominous lurking beneath the surface of McKoy's chaotic, yet visually stunning, universe.
Revealing the Darker Shadows
One of McKoy's most striking pieces, a representation of a school bus, harks back to his adolescence in Ontario. The number 612, the route number of the bus, provides a cryptic backstory to a time in McKoy's life that was not particularly memorable or filled with joy.
Through a series of hidden clues and coded imagery, McKoy tells a story that resonates with the struggles and trials we've all faced—the struggle to find ourselves amidst the chaos, fear, and judgement of society.
A Loud Silence and a Whispered Truth
Hesitant in front of a crowd, McKoy's soft-spoken demeanor during a gallery presentation belies the loud, proud message his art delivers. With a quest for experimentation driving him, McKoy mixes acrylic and oil, employs both brush and spray paint, and embraces his queer identity as a Jamaican artist without fear or hesitation.
In doing so, McKoy provides a platform for stories that demand to be told and a voice for those who have been silenced for far too long. His art is a rebellious, colorful, and unapologetic protest against the perceived norms of society.
Welcome to McKoy's curious, chaotic world. It's a place where the loud meets the silent, the familiar fades away, and truth is hiding in plain sight—or perhaps, just around the corner.
Eavesdrop on the Exhibition Here
Malik McKoy's mmmmwah! at Patel Brown Gallery
- Despite his humble and soft-spoken demeanor, Malik McKoy's art is a loud, proud, and unapologetic protest against societal norms, creating a colorful chaos that demands attention.
- McKoy's art, with its layers of vibrant hues, is like complex puzzles waiting to be unraveled, revealing hidden characters and personal stories tied to his life experiences.
- While McKoy's paintings can be found in galleries like Patel Brown in Montreal, his home is filled with familiar elements such as pets, serving as a significant influence on his works, like his adorable felines.
- As McKoy experiments with a mix of acrylic and oil, brush and spray paint, his art extends beyond the confines of traditional arts, delving into the realms of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and even incorporating elements related to pets.
- In McKoy's kaleidoscope of a world, bright neon colors stand out, contrasting with softness and blurred outlines, hinting at darker shadows that lie beneath the chaotic beauty, urging viewers to question and explore further.
