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Ces McCully explores themes of identity through minimalistic forms, type-led compositions and restrained, yet colourful palettes.
Ces McCully is a contemporary Australian artist, now based in southern France. Her work, which moves between text pieces and abstract painting, is collected and shown internationally.
McCully's bold lettering utilises chance in colour relationships and often restrained, yet still vivid palette. At the same time, the geometrically abstract nature of the work creates a meditative effect. The artist explains:
"I've always been driven to create harmony in my environment, working intuitively with colour and form to create what I feel is a perfect balance."
The messages within the canvases often express confession and secret thoughts, giving expression to our ‘shadow-selves’, challenging the false face of our online personas. The stylized text appears at once idiomatic and cryptic, as the words blend together in an array of muted colours.
She is also 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 relationship, McCully aims to reflect the essence of simple beauty. Ultimately, her abstract paintings, whose geometry recall patterns of fabric, are harmonious and meditative compositions.
Her recent series of type-led works were inspired by lockdowns and how we relied on social media to stay connected to others and combat isolation. Each painting explores themes around honesty, vulnerability and forgiveness - plucked directly from our own feeds on social media, filled with memes and "ridiculous" conversations that came, not just from the pandemic, but leading up to it.
Contrasting the reality of life with the "perfect glow" of Instagram content, her typographic pieces offer snippets of what we've experienced, the situations we've found ourselves in and the thoughts we might have, all brutally honest but with tongue firmly in cheek.
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Works
Ces McCully
I have slow punched you in my dreams (scatter), 2022Oil on Canvas, Framed in Wood44.5 x 33 cm
17 1/2 x 13 in -
Exhibitions
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London Art Fair 2022
21 - 24 Apr 2022Rhodes Contemporary Art is delighted to be taking part in the 34th annual London Art Fair at The Business Design Centre, 21st - 24th April 2022 (Booth G3). Featuring a...Read more -
MARY & ME
Ces McCully 25 Feb - 26 Mar 2022Rhodes Contemporary Art is excited to present a new solo show by Australian artist Ces McCully. Now based in France, McCully’s new series of works are inspired by the lockdowns...Read more -
Summer Exhibition .21
22 Jul - 28 Aug 2021Rhodes Contemporary Art is proud to present our Summer Exhibition 2021, showcasing a dynamic collection of contemporary emerging and mid-career artists working now. Kicking-off what will become an annual group...Read more
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News
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'I Secretly Think I'm Smarter Than You' - Dropping 31.03.22
Ces McCully - New Edition March 29, 2022Exciting news! we have a brand new print release dropping over on Rhodes Editions this Thursday at 4pm (BST). The limited edition print comprises of...Read more -
Ces McCully 'HELP I'M BORED' Edition Coming Soon
March 17, 2021Rhodes Editions is delighted to announce its latest print edition with Australian artist Ces McCully . The print will be available to order from the...Read more -
Q&A with Ces McCully
January 20, 2021Ces McCully is a contemporary artist originally from Melbourne. McCully’s text-based works rely on chance to create both intriguing and harmonious chromatic relationships. She draws...Read more
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Press