Ces McCully

McCully is particularly interested in the juxtaposition of shapes and the power of negative spaces in creating a narrative. By placing simple forms and soothing tones in harmonious relationships, McCully aims to reflect the essence of simple beauty. Ultimately, her abstract paintings, whose geometry recall patterns of fabric, have harmonious and meditative compositions.

In McCully’s paintings, she depicts figures with square bodies and block like features; with triangular designs often framing the scene. Red tulips are a repeated motif in these works, commonly used to suggest passion, new beginnings, and feminine beauty – which furthers her focus on female relationships.

Playing with perspectives, McCully’s scenes are flattened. The blocks of colour making up the figures and settings feel as if they could have been woven into a tapestry. The flattened nature of the pieces allows McCully to lean into their surreal nature, recognisable as moments, but disjointed by the addition of pattern and symbols. These figurative elements combine influences from Byzantine icon art, folklore and early video game graphics.

After moving to the south of France in 2019 and being surrounded by churches, cathedrals, and Catholic symbols on country paths, each tiny village reignited McCully’s fascination with religion. Through her work and research, she examines the impacts that religion has had on ideas of gender and its current role in society.

For the past five years. Ces McCully’s works have been exhibited internationally. Some of her selected solo shows include: 'More Than This' at Breach Miami in 2022, 'Mary and Me' at Rhodes Contemporary Art, London in 2022 and 'Strange Like Me' at Piermarq, Australia in 2021. Her works have been featured in various magazines including Lula Magazine (Japan), QP Magazine (Turkey), Gael Magazine (Belgium), Real Living and Inside Out magazines (Australia).