80 Washington Square East, NYU

Marlene McCarty

I’m into you now. (some work from 1980-2010)

November 2 – December 18, 2010

80WSE

80WSE proudly presented the first major survey of Marlene McCarty's work. This exhibit included mural prints of McCarty’s 1980 stage-set designs for Swiss punk bands such as Lilliput and Mother’s Ruin; her dirty word heat transfer on canvas paintings; “show-girl” and crucifix matchbook sculptures “Hearth” and “Cross-fire,” 1992 (like the heat transfers not seen since the early 90’s); McCarty’s famed large-scale drawings of teen-age woman murderers; and selections from more recent multi-figure drawings dealing with primates and religion.

Installation view of the exhibition featuring several drawings mounted to three different walls. On the left, in the background, there are a large mural of ballpoint pen drawings that feature forest settings. In the foreground, a drawing of a figure kneeling from the back with their hands clasps around the back of their head. On the very right, a small window like structure is mounted into the wall.
Installation view of two walls in the exhibition featuring an array of ballpoint pen drawings. On the left, a large window, off camera view, lets in a wash of light into the exhibition space. On the back wall, a large black and white ballpoint pen drawing of a lounging figure is mounted to a white wall. On the right wall, a series of two by two large drawings are mounted against a grey wall. The drawings feature several sketches of different houses.
Installation view of two walls in the exhibition. On the left wall, a large mural of ballpoint pen drawings are mounted against the white wall. They span the entire length of the wall. The drawings feature natural landscapes of trees, grass, and forest scenery. On the right wall, towards the background of the image, a round circle made of wood is mounted to a greyish wall.
Gallery installation view of the exhibition featuring two walls separated by a doorway that looks into the office space and entrance lobby. On the right is a conglomerate of about ten works of art. The wall on the left has a majority of the artwork. On the left most side, there is a singular drawing. Next to the drawing, on the right side on the top is three framed smaller works. Below those smaller works is a collection of dark drawings. On the right side of the entrance to the gallery, is a large ball point pent drawing of a figure that seems to resemble a snake or a dragon as it's tail and limbs swirl around the page.
Gallery installation view of two walls. On the left is a floor to ceiling ballpoint pen drawing of many figures interacting with one another. Their bodies are intertwined and engaged. On the left wall, which has been painted light grey, there are two white spherical objects sitting next to each other on the bottom of the wall almost touching the floor.
Gallery installation view of two drawings, leading into hallway on the left that gives a sneak preview of the next drawing in the following room. On the left, is a large, portrait of a figure with long hair. Their hands are on their hips and they are looking off to the left. The figure has on a button down top but no pants to reveal their vulva.
Gallery installation view of two large ballpoint pen drawings. On the right is a wall-sized drawing of many of four figures intertwined, engaging with one another and touching one another. On the left, there is a wall-sized drawing of four figures kneeling in a group while another figure approaches them. In front of the works, is a pile of matchboxes, arranged in a large circle with a hole in the middle.
Gallery installation image of two large ballpoint pen drawings. On the right is a wall-sized, floor to ceiling, image of three kneeling figures intertwined with one another. On the left is a wall-sized ballpoint pen drawing of intertwining figures with swirling hair. On the floor in front of the work is a pile of blue matchboxes arranged in a long rectangle.
Gallery installation view of two large ballpoint pen drawings. On the right is a wall-sized ballpoint pen drawing of three kneeling figures. On the left is a wall-sized ball point pen drawing of two apes facing one another. In front of them are a pile of matchboxes arranged on the floor in a circle.