Ryan McNamara's 'Gently Used' exhibition at Mary Boone Gallery presents performance souvenirs as static artworks

In April 2015, Ryan McNamara showcased his exhibition 'Gently Used' at the Mary Boone Gallery, featuring static objects inspired by performances, with prices ranging from $4,000 to $25,000. Notable pieces included 'T-Shirt Retrospective' (2014), which presented seven framed T-shirts, and 'Performance Plaque (bear),' crafted from a hockey mask, alongside 'Performance Plaque (mouth)' that incorporated pennant flags and chattering teeth. Another work, 'Performance Plaque (French manicure),' showcased a striped shirt with a plastic hand, while 'People Mover' depicted an inflated sweatshirt pushing a cart filled with leggings. Many artworks featured decoupage of performance stills, contrasting with McNamara's 2012 exhibit 'Still' at Elizabeth Dee Gallery. These objects were described as both frightening and harmless, resembling items more appropriate for a funhouse than a gallery. This article was published in ArtReview in April 2015.