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In numerous group shows over the past few years Hugh McCarthy has made a name for himself as a playful organic abstractionist, creating paintings of a dense and sociable kind. All elements are injected with a biomorphic sensibility that undergoes endless variations. These are hybrid species that invade each canvas in teeming hoards. Colourful blobs radiate from every available space defying the laws of gravity, as hard edged shapes melt and droop animating the painting with constant movement. A life and energy that is akin to watching an aquarium – both afford the visual fascination of an independent world following its own rules.

We are not surprised to find appropriated images from artists such as Lari Pittman, Rachel Feinstein and Philip Allen dotted around several canvases adding high art references to his repertoire of adolescent souvenirs from comic books and simple shapes from 80´s style video games. A free-fall through art history and popular culture he seems to enjoy the challenge of juggling formal concerns with a jesting curiosity.

Hugh’s work is serious in the sense that good comedy is serious; it’s unsettling in the way its very cheerfulness challenges you, even taunt you to take it seriously. If nothing else, the way in which it explores complex forms and innumerable visual languages would deserve enough of attention.

Machines give me freedom

2006
mixed media on canvas
100cm x 100cm

November

2005
mixed media on canvas
290cm x 170cm

White wash

2005
acrilic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

s

2005
acrilic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

Momentum overtakes strategy

2006
acrylic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

Ruppy pabbit

2007
acrylic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

Ruppy pabbit

2007
acrylic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

Ruppy pabbit

2007
acrylic on canvas
100cm x 100cm

Ruppy pabbit

2007
acrylic on canvas
100cm x 100cm