“Through My Eyes”

Sculpture By Mike McCarthy

July 3, 2014 through August 9, 2014

Opening reception July 11, 2014 from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Artist gallery talk and demonstration July 19, 2014 at noon

Mike McCarthy is a stone sculptor whose works are well known to art lovers in this area for their exquisite craftsmanship, exceptional sophistication, and beauty.  Though he also works in wood and metal, carving stone is one of the most challenging and satisfying forms of creativity for McCarthy, whose works in stone concentrate on the sheer and permanent beauty of the medium.  Whether he is carving limestone, alabaster or marble, McCarthy is constantly fascinated, motivated and tested by its physically demanding nature, and he loves to explore the dichotomy between the rigid physical nature of the rock and the softness and fluidity in the pieces he creates.  For McCarthy, there is nothing more satisfying than transforming an ages old stone into an object of art with a life of its own. Though his subject matter varies, McCarthy’s primary inspiration is his life-long fascination with the human figure.  In his most recent work, McCarthy has focused on that part of the face that is often called the “window to the soul” – the eye.  “The eyes convey much about a person’s thoughts and feelings.” McCarthy explains.  “I love the shape of the eye, and in this selection of work, I wanted to explore that, and to bring out the sensations and feelings that the eyes reveal about each person.” While McCarthy expands the traditional art of stone carving through his designs, his passion for carving both wood and stone goes beyond his private studio and he has taught young artisans the art of carving to ensure this centuries-old practice endures.  His work can be found in private collections in Chicago, Houston and various locations in Kentucky and Indiana.  His show “Through My Eyes” will be on display at PYRO Gallery from July 3, 2014 through August 9, 2014 with an opening reception July 11, 2014 from 5 pm to 9 pm. He will also host a gallery talk and demonstration July 19, 2014 at noon.   McCarthy was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Bellarmine University.  McCarthy is a member of the PYRO Gallery.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

A History of Great Art

Because PYRO artists are autonomous in their personal selection of which of their works to exhibit and because they work in clay, metal, stone,weaving, stitchery and fabric dyeing, oils, watercolors, acrylics, charcoal, pencil, digital and film photography, found objects and beads, shows are often experimental, always fresh and invariably surprising.

Regular exhibitions showcase new gallery members and at least once a year the entire membership is asked to respond to a given theme such as “White” or “Downsize”. Although artists may choose to mount solo shows, such as retrospectives, often they will invite artists who are not members of Pyro Gallery to participate as “Friends” or “Members of Enid”. And from time to time, several members will join to display work which has a common concern. When Louisville is host to national conferences on Clay or Glass, Pyro Gallery participates by inviting nationally prominent artists as guest exhibitors as well as scheduling appropriate work by Gallery members.

As you explore the exhibition archives, discover not only the variety of concept and media but also the professional standards viewed at Pyro Gallery.