Ripple, Mixed Media

Perhaps you are one of the many folk who frequent the Lee Hansley Gallery on Glenwood South, and perhaps you have even been there recently. If so, you’ve probably seen the artwork of my Father, local painter George McKim. His work is abstract, geometric, amorphous, numerical, poetic, surreal and altogether his own. Being the son of an accomplished modernist Architect, Herb McKim, and the student of artists such as Paul Hartley and Clarence Morgan, his work includes aspects of Modernism, Post-Modernism, Cubism and Post-Impressionism. He has also spent time as a professional architectural photographer, draftsperson and poet.

George just had a show open up at Lee Hansley Gallery on Glenwood South, in March. It runs through mid-April. There, you can see a wide array of work that he has done over the years. From early thesis work from East Carolina University in the mid 80’s, which has a strong focus on linear and geometric forms contrasting and interacting with amorphous, organic forms.

Left, Van Gogh’s Ear / Right, 5ives

Monday, Mixed Media Oil on Canvases

From there the work evolves into pieces like Ripple and Monday, which derive inspiration from Cubism, but give actual 3d, tangible surface to the “cubes”. This literal application of Cubism appears over several pieces of work.

Birds, 22″ x 30″, Acrylic on Paper

Tree Landscape, 22″ x 30″, Acrylic on Paper

From there comes his most recent work, the acrylic work on paper focus on themes such as division, tension, transition, abstraction, and comparative dichotomies. These works continue a long journey through painted work. Personally, I really like Ripple and Monday much of the thesis work that he has done, a lot of which is on display at his house. George’s newer work, while different in scale and construction, is also very compelling, complex, intriguing and attractive.

Egyptian Green, 22″ x 30″, Acrylic on Paper

Corn Bird Bricks, 22″ x 30″, Acrylic on Paper

Planets, 22″ x 30″, Acrylic on Paper

All of this work is work that I and my family have grown up around, seeing on the walls and watching it as it was being created. George works from a studio in his house, and generally sells at craft shows and through galleries such as Lee Hansley Gallery, and several Wilmington galleries.

George’s work is dynamic, often a contradiction, a dichotomy, a poem, and an expression all mixed into painting. It’s abstract, formal, colorful, black and white, 3d and flat. It touches on intangibles, talks about society, flows with meaning, and also avoids meaning altogether. In short, if you haven’t seen it, you should go down to Lee Hansley’s and take a peek!

Further Reading:

• George McKim Official Web Site
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Follow George on Twitter