Max McKerlie

Artist biography

"My art considers the experience of male femininity, and a relationship to the world, nature, and spirituality that is not typically masculine. My work focuses on methods of visual storytelling through illustration, oil painting and textile work. I am interested in blending the aesthetic elements of Renaissance painting, early twentieth century illustration and pantomime theatre to create images which present the audience with a personal mythology and overarching storyline that runs through each work. Drawing from the heightened feminine poses and exaggerated gestures from all these art styles, I work with images which incorporate male figures into delicate, gentle and stereotypically feminine poses and surroundings.

My practice also explores the way humans have a connection to nature, specifically plant life, and how that connection can become to a degree spiritual and mythological. I try to amalgamate these two concepts of male femininity and a connection to plant life into images with ambiguous visual narratives and symbolism which require the audience to draw their own conclusions. "

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