LAITH MCGREGOR

McGregor is an artist who sees inspiration anywhere, whether it be from travel, art or culture. Much of it comes from his subconscious, and in particular, his dreams. This accounts for the surreal nature of his paintings or drawings: scale and perception are somewhat distorted so that they might appear bizarre or zany. The drawings are particularly precise—full of meticulous lines and subtle detail. Though eerie—or perhaps because of this—they make for compelling viewing.

McGregor sees drawing as a primordial act: a natural form of human expression. Through it, he believes artists are able to process the subconscious and create conversations around intuition and human experience. McGregor places drawing in both the real and the unreal. Or rather, he places drawing in the breakdown between these spaces, where the ephemeral and oblivion rest.

McGregor’s video work often incorporates himself. In Maturing (2007), the artist sits before the camera for 30 minutes, pulling faces and doodling on his face with a marker pen. Though his actions are odd and laughable, he maintains strict composure, suggesting total inner confidence. Why he is performing these actions is unclear, but the result attracts audiences.

Today, McGregor splits his time between Melbourne, Australia, and Bali, Indonesia.

Jessica Douglas | Ocula | 2017