Using a unique process that combines painting and woodcarving, McNall’s work balances intricate patterns and textured mark making bound by organic shapes against stretches of pure pigment. Her practice relates directly to the handmade in both subject matter and execution. She opens a dialogue on the relationship between people, their environments, and what inherently fastens us to our surroundings, examining the empowering qualities these places retain.
The faceless figures in McNall’s work resemble Goddess like muses as they rest in dynamic yet effortless poses. Each one embodies strength, confidence and wisdom alike. The figures are adorned with a novel blend of symbolic patterns and mark making. They rest within their own elements, surrounded by a complex yet tranquil interior landscape that inhabit both ancient and futuristic realms. They act as anonymous guardians of transcendent, yet familiar moments in time. Through this work, McNall explores the body as a vessel, a container that carries us through life, using both literal vessels such as vases and containers, as well as human forms. She investigates all that is held within our worldly form: memories, tension, energy, healing properties, intuition and how all of these aspects’ manifests into movement.
b. 1988, Bay Area, CA
EDUCATION
2013
BFA Printmaking & Painting Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Remedies, Dimmitt Contemporary Art, ATX, TX
2022
Enfold in a Greater Space, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
2021
In Good Hands, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Stay A While, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
Akephalos (with Dana Bell), Uprise Art, NY
2023
Deck the Walls, Gilman Contemporary, ID
Kelly Ording & Carmen McNall: Pathways of Time, Gilman Contemporary, ID
AFFINITIES, Dimmitt Contemporary Art, HOU,TX
Inaugural Group Show, Hashimoto Contemporary LA,CA
Potluck, Hashimoto Contemporary, LA,CA
2022
Salt Fish, New Image Art, LA, CA
Hella Good, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
Embodiment, Heron Arts, SF, CA
Inside Patterns, Swim Gallery, SF, CA
2021
Impressions of Her, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
2020
The de Young Open, De Young Museum, SF, CA Community,
Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
Coup D’oeil ( A Glimpse), Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
I Saw You Post About It, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, LA, CA
2019
Threesome, 19 Karren Contemporary Artspace, QLD, Australia
The Color of Balance, Glass Rice Gallery, SF, CA
Press On, Heron Arts, SF, CA
2018
One Way Through, Heron Arts, SF, CA
Making a Mark, Slate Gallery, SF,CA
House Plant Show, Swim Gallery, SF,CA
Nevertheless, The Galallery, SF,CA
What Is Free, Incline Gallery, SF, CA
2017
Art Shop, Adobe Books Backroom Gallery, SF, CA Colectiva
Bendgy, Bendgy SAO, Brazil
Think Positive, RVCA VASF Gallery, SF, CA
NFS, Incline Gallery, SF, CA
823-Thinking of You, Incline Gallery, SF, CA
2016
SF Art Show, Flax Art, SF, CA
COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS
2022
Commissioned mural, Square, Oakland, CA
2021
Google Artist in Residence Program, Google HQ, Mountain View, CA
2020
Commissioned art installation, The Four Seasons, Calistoga, CA
2019
Commissioned art installation, California Medical Association, Sacramento, CA
2019
Commissioned art installations, Google HQ, Sunnyvale, CA
2018
Facebook Artist and Residence Program, Facebook HQ, Menlo Park, CA