Second Mutation

Ess McKee's Second Mutation is an enthusiastic return to her roots. Chaotic cartoon elements overlap and intertwine on colorful canvases, giving the entire show a playful feeling. Adorable characters and fun florals point to personal experiences from her youth. Layers of meaning emerge from each composition allowing the audience to create their own narratives from recurring symbols. Paper planes fly throughout, weaving through animated linework and sheer typography.  

Street art & graphic design influences shine throughout each piece. A touch of nostalgia leaks through many compositions. Animal characters are framed like Olan Mills portraits, evoking a yearbook picture or throwback family photo. Characters are accessorized in beanies, statement glasses, and gilded teeth; like early hip-hop icons. A slim yet regal hotdog bares its scrawny knees in fresh sneakers across two works on paper. Chubby cats pout on a field of green. A Moody Mural brings things full circle. An extension of McKee's earlier work, it is the only piece to feature a human face. Rendered in her signature graffiti style,  Moody Mural blends fashion, typography, and illustration to make a bold statement in a sick colorway. 

McKee expands on these themes in her sculptural pieces. Repurposed paint cans are turned into 3D artwork. Schoolhouse chair legs and jagged skateboards are remixed into furniture. These chairs offer an uncomfortable resting place made of reclaimed materials. They are a fitting counterpoint to the overall feeling of buoyancy in the show, bringing a sharper edge to an otherwise jubilant display.  

Second Mutation is a bold and bright reintroduction to Ess McKee's work. The artist maintains a consistent style while reinventing and expanding her work to include new elements, creating a vibrant and comforting collection. With nods to graffiti and 90s kid nostalgia, McKee is an artist whose work can move the crowd.

The show can be viewed anytime in the Harrison Gallery through the month of January: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can also be viewed and purchased on our online gallery through January.