Barry McGee

Lot #48
Untitled, 2021
Gouache on paper
12.5 x 11 in.
Courtesy of the artist

About the Artwork

Barry McGee (Headlands Artist in Residence ‘04) is considered a pioneer of the Mission School, a movement influenced by urban realism, graffiti, and American folk art, with a focus on social activism. McGee’s aim of actively contributing to marginalized communities has continued throughout his career, from his days as “Twist” (his graffiti moniker) to his current work as a global artist. His trademark motif, a male caricature with droopy eyes, references his empathy for those who identify the streets as their home. McGee’s recent large-scale murals and his meticulous archive of paintings and drawings examine the notion of public versus private space and the accessibility of art. His work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at museums and institutions including the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston; and the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, among others. His works are part of public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; SFMOMA; Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; and Fondazione Prada, Venice.

Retail Value: $1,500