Keegan Monaghan's debut solo exhibition at On Stellar Rays explores urban subjectivity through luminous paintings
From July 7 to August 12, 2016, Keegan Monaghan held his inaugural commercial solo exhibition at On Stellar Rays, showcasing five paintings and a freestanding sculpture, all produced in 2016. Situated at 1 Rivington Street, NYC, the event took place amid a summer heat wave. Monaghan’s artwork features urban landscapes characterized by a stucco-like texture and a dark violet ambiance, enhanced by vibrant highlights. The life-sized purple desk sculpture nods to film noir cartoons. The exhibited pieces, including 'Security,' 'The Sign Post,' 'Thriller,' and 'My Place,' delve into themes of nostalgia, protection, and self-containment. Monaghan's approach transforms urban materials, blending the essence of city life with whimsical forms while humorously reflecting on the human experience.
Key facts
- Exhibition dates: July 7 to August 12, 2016
- Location: On Stellar Rays, 1 Rivington Street at Bowery, New York City
- Artist: Keegan Monaghan
- Number of works: five canvases and one sculpture, all 2016
- Paintings depict specific urban viewpoints: movie theater, police car, domestic interior, plate on lap
- Sculpture is a life-size purple desk with lamp, newspaper, coffee mug, and donut
- Works feature stucco-like surfaces with dark violet atmosphere and bright color accents
- Scale of paintings resembles subway station billboards
Entities
Artists
- Keegan Monaghan
- Peter Halley
- Jane Dickson
- Philip Guston
Institutions
- On Stellar Rays
- artcritical
Locations
- New York City
- United States