Everyday Magic, Everyday Music

July 08 - August 05,2023

From 12.26:

"12.26 is delighted to present Everyday Magic, Everyday Music, an exhibition featuring new paintings by Dallas-based artists Sean Cairns and Joel Murray. Using their unique artistic language, both artists create a magical symphony of imagery, narrating the transcendent beauty and enigmatic mysteries of life.

Murray’s new works are a testament to his personal experiences and observations. They speak of narrative abstraction, presenting an unexpected blend of colors and compositions that beckon the observer into his mysterious inner world. Like a rich anthology of related and disparate poetry, Murray’s paintings morph into expansive fields of color, dancing flowers, floating worlds, and galaxies. He explores larger metaphors, delving into existential confusion and the pursuit of transcendence. These profound themes, all derived from a careful observation of life's minutiae, immerse the viewer in a visual narrative that oscillates between the tangible and the ethereal.

Cairn’s creative impetus springs from enigmatic observations of our world. His inspiration bloomed during a stroll in the woods, where he encountered a man on horseback with an FM radio tied to his saddle horn. From this serendipitous encounter, Cairn’s adopted the mantra, "Everyday Music, Everyday Magic." His paintings typically portray romantic depictions of nature, yet they are juxtaposed against a backdrop of human activity, which disrupts the tranquility of the natural world.

There's an underlying unity in their pursuit for everyday magic that reflects an overarching dialogue between the observable and the spiritual. Both artists weave together their distinct artistic voices to create a mesmerizing tapestry of experiences. They beckon the viewers into their worlds, challenging them to discover the everyday music in their own lives and to find magic in the everyday.

Sean Cairns (b. 1988, Sparta, Illinois) earned his BFA in Sculpture at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and an MFA in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Following his MFA, Cairns turned his attention to painting. Cairns is currently represented by Valley House Gallery, Dallas, TX. He has been included in group exhibitions at the Amarillo Museum of Art, Galleri Urbane, Liliana Bloch Gallery and was recently included in the New American Paintings catalog. His first international exhibition will open at PTT Gallery in Taipei, Taiwan early 2024.

Joel Murray (b. 1984, Denver, Colorado) received his BFA from Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO and MFA from Clemson University, Clemson, SC. He currently teaches Drawing at Dallas College. His work was previously the subject of a solo exhibition at 12.26 in 2020."

Reception: July 08, 2023 | 6-8 pm

12.26 150 Manufacturing Street
Dallas, Texas 75207
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