There is something about Tara McPherson’s art that reminds of being teenage girls, and we aren’t embarrassed to say so.
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Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC is presenting The Bunny in the Moon, new works by Brooklyn-based Tara, in what will be her second solo show at the gallery. The Bunny in the Moon features oil paintings on linen, drawings on paper, and the debut of McPherson’s new series of soft sculptures; think large comic-book looking skulls blossoming like flowers in pots.
Influenced by myths and legends with Japanese, Brazilian, Saxon, Greek, and Pagan sources, McPherson’s signature bold style explores subjects of love, loss, strength, vulnerability and female empowerment. Her paintings makes us feel like putting on goth make up and dream of what our first kiss will be like.
The show’s title piece, The Bunny in the Moon, refers to an Asian legend with Buddhist origins of a rabbit which sacrifices its life to feed a starving man. The man is a deity in disguise and honors the animal by sending its ashes to the moon for all to see its image and remember its selfless act. McPherson believes the ultimate sacrifice of life and death can be equated to love and loss. In the painting, a moonlit nude couple hold arrows over white pieces of paper pinned above each other’s hearts-either about to pierce flesh or write a love note. The paper refers to target markers used during prison executions in Ireland, reinforcing the concept of self-surrender in the name of love.
Another painting references an ancient Roman version of the biblical story of Adam & Eve, in which the first elephants eat mandrake root, become aroused, mate, and give birth to offspring in the safety of water. Other myths which influenced works in the show include Brazilian river dolphins who shape-shift into men and seduce women during festivals, a Japanese ghost bride who steals the souls of her lovers, and the classic Greek legend of Narcissus.
If you are in the NYC area this Saturday night, go hit up the opening night. If not, you still have time to catch the show, or buy Tara’s new book because art doesn’t come cheap.
You can contact Darcie Vukovich at Jonathan LeVine Gallery for all sales inquiries and pre-sale information here.