Exposure
11 - 20 November, 2016, Cambridge, UK
Sean McMurchy’s Exposure brings to light the battles between one’s internal world and cultural norms. Exposed are the immediate, impulsive thoughts of the reptilian brain, as well as thoughts and behaviours initiated from deep within that fail to find expression because they are culturally repressed. The artist strips away social expectations to reveal ambitions, anxieties, urges, and inspirations. The aim of these works is to acknowledge and openly discuss the darker parts of human nature that are so often concealed. Behavioural standards imposed by society are essential for a peaceful and functional community, but censoring thoughts and feelings to the point of denying their existence may be counterproductive and may create a rift between society and individuals. In acknowledging that to be human is to be, at times, in conflict with cultural norms, we may be released from feeling inferior, unfit, and alienated from society. Perhaps a more harmonious and tolerant society could be achieved by recognizing one’s own unique and shared internal deviances and openly discussing rather than shunning the exposed deviances of others.
Shunga
Digital, 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
An ancient erotic art-form in Japan called “Shunga” was commonly hung by normal, average Japanese people. The translation of “Shunga” is “picture of spring.” In pre-European-influenced Japan, men and women would bathe nude together in public baths. It was even a common place to meet a husband or wife. Connection with Europe brought with it the much more conservative culture around sex and nudity. Do you think that it made an improvement? Can you even tell what you think about something separately from what your culture tells you you should think? I don’t know if I can.
Wood
Oil on canvas, 4 feet x 5 feet
Are you judging me based on this painting – do you think I'm a pervert? What sexual thoughts have gone through your mind that you would feel comfortable displaying? Has your sex drive ever caused you problems, tension, or friction in the rest of your life, with your colleagues, friends, or partners? Or are you good at keeping it all inside? Am I even being honest or do you think it gets even more obscene higher up the tree? Would the world be a better place if everyone was more honest about their sexual desires? I think so, so I made Wood.
Totem
Digital, 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
Every painting in this show is a portrait of Sean (the artist) and/or his wife. If you can't see our bodies, you are seeing an aspect of our minds from the artist’s perspective. Are you surprised by the things I chose to include in this picture or the wider show to represent myself and my wife? What would you have as a totem to represent you? Would you show anyone?
Yoke
Oil on paper mounted to canvas, 32 x 23.5 inches
As an atheist I am interested in myth more than religion. My ancestry is Nordic, but I was born and lived most of my life on the northwest coast in Canada, with the reflections of Haida mythology all around me. In both Haida and Norse myths, the raven plays a major role. The raven is Odin's Huginn and Muninn, (Thought and Memory), in Nordic mythology. Wikipedia gives a good description of Raven in Haida mythology:
"While frequently described as a "trickster", Haidas believe Raven or Yelth or Hoya to be a complex reflection of one's own self. Raven can be a magician, a transformer, a potent creative force, sexual deviant or ravenous debaucher but always a cultural hero...he released the first humans from a cockle shell on the beach; in another story he brought the first humans up out of the ground because he needed to fill up a party he was throwing. Raven stories on one level teach listeners how to live a good life, but usually by counterexample... Robert Bringhurst has noted that Raven never actually creates anything; he made the world by stealing, exchanging, redistributing, and generally moving things around." (Haida mythology from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2016.)"
Demented
Digital, perspex- direct print, 119.1 x 71.5 cm
Do you ever get annoyed by others to the point of fantasizing about some immediate misfortune falling upon them? We would never act on these thoughts or earnestly wish them, but they pop up for an instant anyway.
Downed
Oil on canvas, 20 x 30 inches
Have you ever been afraid of being afraid? Scared that the bad things will never leave? Have you ever known someone who is in a really bad way and you don't understand and are completely powerless to help them?
Whale
Digital, perspex- direct print, 65.7 x 132.2 cm
Taking on a huge task such as the art in this room is risk driven by a passion I don't understand. It’s a fool quest, a madman's dream to make these things knowing full well nothing tangibly good may come of it, and there are always costs. I have support on this expedition from those I love, but how much should help granted be taken and when is it too much to ask for? If you are a creative person, who helps and helped you make your work? It’s never just one person who makes a piece, even if it’s just one set of hands using the tools.
Dream
Oil on paper mounted to canvas and oil on canvas, each 32 x 32 inches
Sleeping with someone is a powerful act of physical connection. But while asleep, everyone is completely lost in your own worlds. When are awake is it really that much different? We are always stuck in our own heads. Life is but a dream.
Meditaur
Digital, 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
Who are your influences? Years ago the idea of being derivative of another artist drove me crazy. Over time, I have become more at peace with my influences. It does not crush me anymore when someone says, “oh, that looks like so and so’s work.” It’s much more peaceful being yourself than trying to be completely unique at all costs. That beast is at peace.
Me Me
Pencil and Ink on paper
This is Me and Me again, and yet in both versions I come of as a dork... good hair though. Enjoy the show
Animal
Pencil and digital, 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
Our evolutionary history of predator and prey is embedded in our minds. Our reptilian brain is just as much a part of us, tempered but not completely silenced by our more recently evolved cortex. We are beasts.
Torn
Digital, 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
Have you ever felt stretched between the extremes? Terrifying, blind happiness and the deepest sadness are all experienced by the same being, sometimes in the same day. I don’t experience extremes. The wild swings of others often startle me.
Open up / Close down
Oil, digital, and pencil; 1 of 25 limited edition signed and numbered digital prints on photo-paper
These are some of the first artworks that started what became this collection; a process of opening up what has been closed off.
