Art Matters #40 - James McLean
Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019

Todays guest was Melbourne-based artist James McLean — a self-taught creative whose bold, expressive works combine marker, ink and digital imagery to explore the human condition.

Drawing inspiration from everyday life and the people around him, James creates vibrant, abstract faces that speak to social and political issues shaping our world — from inequality and mental health to community and connection.

James' naïve, high-impact style has drawn comparisons to artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso — and his work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including his solo show The City Series.

James' work is bold, vibrant and thought-provoking — and I love how it invites us to look closer, and consider the people and issues around us with a little more care and empathy.

If you’d like to see some of James McLean’s colourful characters and upcoming exhibitions, you can follow his work online and keep an eye out for future shows.
@jamesmcleanart

Things to look up:
Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh)
@maph_photography

Deakin University Art Gallery

Town Hall Gallery

Whitehorse Artspace

Montsalvat creative spaces and residencies
The Creative Spaces Project presents a three-tiered structure of accessibility: Creative Bookable Spaces, Project Spaces, and Makers Studios.
https://montsalvat.com.au/creative-programs-and-residencies/

Todays Tracks:
The Hangman, Beat Happening
She's Back, PYPY
To be young (to be sad, to be high), Ryan Adams
Ordinary Agony, Possible Humans

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers:
Little Acres - Ange
Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist
Sing Song Ceramics - Selby
Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist
Shirley Dougan – Artist
Natasja - Textile artist
Rajko Grbac (sculptor)
The Forge Institute – Community Group
The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY
Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave 

Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events.
artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm