Rory Monaghan

Born in Denver, Colorado in 1952, I have lived and worked in Chicago since 1977. I am self taught.

artist statement

My work draws inspiration from rivers.
The forms are transient and unruly. A painting or sculpture may change directions unexpectedly. Surrounding material is swept into them- rusty cans, broken toys, detritus from wherever.
I allow the work to have freedom to move and morph into its most natural iteration.
Discarded scraps find their way into a painting which then gets swept into a sculpture.
The current never stops. The form never ends. A point of arrival is the next point of departure.
I struggle my best to get there.

Group Shows
2022- In Good Company, Mana Contemporary,
Chicago, IL
2019- Mana Decentralized, Mana Contemporary,
Jersey City, NJ
2019- Thing, Cosmetic Solutions, Red Hook, Brooklyn,
NY
2018- All the Best Artists Are My Friends,
Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ
2017- Unapologetic Drawing, Ralph Arnold Gallery,
Chicago
2014- Brucennial 2, New York City
2012- Brucennial 3, New York City
2011- Smithumenta II, Mana Contemporary, Jersey City
2009- Light and Time, Plum Gallery, Charleston, SC
2010- A Grand Opening, 675 Hudson St, New York, NY
2008- E Pluribus, Plum Gallery, Charleston, SC
2005- Coming Through, Refuge Center, Skokie, Il