MICHAEL McHUGH | SUPERNATURAL | 16 September – 10 October 2021

MICHAEL McHUGH SUPERNATURAL

16 September - 10 October 2021

© Martin Browne Contemporary © All images copyright Michael McHugh This catalogue is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

COMPILER: Dean Andersen PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenni Carter COLOUR SEPARATIONS: Spitting Image, Sydney Cover Image: Party, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

MARTIN BROWNE CONTEMPORARY 15 HAMPDEN STREET PADDINGTON NSW 2021 TEL: 02 9331 7997 FAX: 02 9331 7050 info@martinbrownecontemporary.com www.martinbrownecontemporary.com GALLERY HOURS: TUESDAY - SUNDAY 10:30AM - 6PM

SUPERNATURAL It has been a time of deep reflection while painting these artworks during which my mind would often wander to the unexpected nature of life. SUPERNATURAL itself is about the cellular formation of plant forms, the re-ordering and twisting of DNA, while creating layers of patterns and colour. At times, some shapes clash with others completely unnaturally, while other plant forms offer moments of stillness within the canvas.

When lockdown lifted in early 2021, I visited the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney to research historical plant forms from botanists and illustrators. I also travelled to Perth’s incredible Western Australian Botanical Gardens, which has the largest range of wildflowers in the country. This research was the kick-off point for the exhibition’s body of work as I did extensive drawings, creating new forms and developing my own ‘plant DNA language’ with cellular structures and shapes that became the starting point for composing each work.

The colour palette for most of the works come from collages I made from mixing unused paint onto baking paper. These random colours, both layered and patterned, developed holistically across the collection. I wanted the viewers eye to travel around the canvas, seeing new details each time they viewed a painting.

In March of this year, my brother tragically passed away unexpectedly and so my studio and this collection of work became my refuge. Sydney’s re-entry into lockdown meant for me quiet self-contemplation. Every time I arrived at the studio; I was able to lose myself in the work, being left alone to create and consider the fragility of life and nature. The lack of noise and people around me meant I had a focus that was pure and at times, intense.

There is a wonder to nature that can be exhilarating. SUPERNATURAL celebrates the idea of nature from my imagination – giving the viewer permission to experience a moment in time that might change their outlook, loosing yourself in a world of form and colour, and perhaps to even celebrate the wonder of life itself.

LIST OF WORKS Sylvan, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 150 cm Hybrid, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm Ensemble, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm Fable, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm Elysian, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm Nocturnal, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 240 cm Celestial, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm Resplendent, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 150 cm Biennial, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm Soiree, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm Party, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm Wonder, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

The full exhibition may be viewed at www.martinbrownecontemporary.com/McHugh21 Michael McHugh

Sylvan, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 150 cm

Hybrid, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm

Ensemble, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm

Fable, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

Elysian, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm Nocturnal, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 240 cm (following page)

Celestial, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm

Resplendent, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 150 cm

Biennial, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

Soiree, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 180 cm

Party, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

Wonder, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

Michael McHugh in his Surry Hills studio.