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Lot Essay
Characteristic of the artist’s beloved themes of leisure and relief, Danielle Mckinney’s Home by 8 presents a figure in repose, bathing in sumptuous hues of plum and crimson. Suspended in a charming vessel, this figure channels the very heart of the artist’s figurative edge. In Mckinney’s paintings, figures unwind across unmade beds, lounge in overstuffed armchairs, and float in dream-like scenarios. Their activities range from resting to reading, smoking and other respites, always split between the domestic space Mckinney situates them in and that of their own inner world. Only the second work by the artist to be offered at auction, Home by 8 captures a sincere beauty found in everyday life and is representative of the artist’s oeuvre, which presents an important shift in the art historical discourse and the imageries which comprise it.
In Home by 8, the figure floats with outstretched arms in a heart-shaped pool, suggesting feelings of nostalgia and lust. With eyes closed, the subject appears immersed in a meditative state, disconnected from her surroundings. Beyond the edges of the pool, the floor is painted in a sultry red with patterned white circles that suggest a rhythm, like the subtle waves that jostle in a pool or the cadenced sequence of one’s own thoughts. The rich red hues of the pool and patio are juxtaposed by the gray wall that separates the subject from the outside world. Whereas color and patterns pulsate and plants prosper on the inside of the wall, the reality beyond the wall is a black abyss, emphasizing the comfort found in one's own sanctuary. Home by 8, aptly named, depicts the satisfying disconnection from the outside world into a more private realm.
In her work, Mckinney contemplates not only the nuanced lives of her subjects, but also the viewer’s, recognizing that each observer brings their own interpretation to the canvas. This work prompts viewers to imagine themselves as the protagonists of their own story, drawing inspiration from Mckinney’s sublimation of mundane moments.
As viewers engage with Mckinney's art, they are captivated by the implied narratives in elusive shadows and revealing details. Through her skillful rendering of private moments, Mckinney invites us to explore the boundaries between reality and fantasy, prompting introspection and inspiring a deeper connection with our own narratives.
In Home by 8, the figure floats with outstretched arms in a heart-shaped pool, suggesting feelings of nostalgia and lust. With eyes closed, the subject appears immersed in a meditative state, disconnected from her surroundings. Beyond the edges of the pool, the floor is painted in a sultry red with patterned white circles that suggest a rhythm, like the subtle waves that jostle in a pool or the cadenced sequence of one’s own thoughts. The rich red hues of the pool and patio are juxtaposed by the gray wall that separates the subject from the outside world. Whereas color and patterns pulsate and plants prosper on the inside of the wall, the reality beyond the wall is a black abyss, emphasizing the comfort found in one's own sanctuary. Home by 8, aptly named, depicts the satisfying disconnection from the outside world into a more private realm.
In her work, Mckinney contemplates not only the nuanced lives of her subjects, but also the viewer’s, recognizing that each observer brings their own interpretation to the canvas. This work prompts viewers to imagine themselves as the protagonists of their own story, drawing inspiration from Mckinney’s sublimation of mundane moments.
As viewers engage with Mckinney's art, they are captivated by the implied narratives in elusive shadows and revealing details. Through her skillful rendering of private moments, Mckinney invites us to explore the boundaries between reality and fantasy, prompting introspection and inspiring a deeper connection with our own narratives.