Rachel M. Mac: What Dreams May Come

MJFA is excited to announce WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, a solo exhibition of 10 recent paintings by emerging New York artist RACHEL M. MAC.   The presentation will be on view from January 26 to March 1, 2024, at the gallery's new space, 31 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains. In person viewing is by appointment Tuesday - Saturday, with open hours on Fridays from 10 am - 5:30 pm, when no appointment is necessary.   This is the artist's first solo gallery exhibition, having shown her work exclusively online previously.  

In WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, Mac introduces Dreams, a captivating glimpse into the artist's subconscious flow state, where deliberate brush strokes, intricate line work, architectural sketches, and spontaneous gestures symbolize the elusive images and faint memories that linger upon waking from a dream.

Each painting within the Dreams series intricately captures the mind's recollection of interactions, movements, figures, and places from the dream-state. In our mind's eye, the vivid images prompt us to question their meaning, piecing together disconnected and overlapping fragments with reality. Each artwork is Mac's response to that state of consciousness - rendered in multilayered compositions of acrylic, ink, and oil pastel.

Mac, a classically trained cellist, skillfully integrates the structural elements of musical compositions into her paintings. Her visual art embodies a complex fusion of space, expressive brushstrokes, geometric color blocking, and dynamic motion achieved through aleatoric techniques. As in music, syncopated rhythms, random and vigorous marks, and penciled text stimulate our senses.

Raised on the North Shore of Long Island, the daughter of an architect, Mac's upbringing immersed her in blueprints and sketches. This early exposure cultivated her love for drawing and design.  Alongside her visual arts pursuits, she delved into the performing arts, commencing her cello studies at the age of 8.

Combining design and music, Rachel went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in Advertising and Cello Performance, from Penn State University and the University of Delaware. In 2018, Rachel started sharing her paintings on social media via Instagram and her paintings are now collected nationally.  She lives and works on Long Island, New York.