Drawn to Synbols, Michael McGrath Conjures Uncanny Narratives

Disembodied heads, eyes, and hands meet spindly trees, dragonflies, and vibrant blossoms in the folk-art inspired works of Michael McGrath. Based in Rhinebeck, New York, McGrath melds a variety of media—most pieces contain a mixture of graphite, ink, and oil and acrylic paints—into dynamic compositions suffuse with mystery. Recurring symbols and objects lend themself to a distinctive visual language that captures both the wondrous and puzzling.

McGrath is preparing for solo exhibitions in Saugerties, New York, and Kent, Connecticut, later this year, along with a few group shows. Keep up with his work on Instagram.

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with peope communing around a bare tree at night — “Intro to ceremonial lighting cycles,” colored pencil, wax pastel and acrylic on panel, 14 x 11 inches

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with a person looking at a mountain with flowers nearby — “Evening float, Panther Mountain,” acrylic and oil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with a person and dog looking at a mountain with flowers nearby — “Evening float, Moonrise”

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with eyes, insects, trees, deer, and a figure — “Roe gods, chain reaction,” colored pencil on panel, 14 x 11 inches

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with eyes, insects, trees, a large hand, and a figure — “Future systems No. 5,” oil on linen, 16 x 20 inches

a folk-art inspired work by Michael McGrath with eyes, insects, trees and more — “Late migration, No. 3,” colored pencil and graphite on panel, 10 x 8 inches

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