The Void Giveth
An Original Piece by Matt McCarthy
12" x 15" Framed
Layered Paper Collage
Hand-cut giclée prints separated by acid-free foam core. Framed in Nielsen metal frames with TruVue Optium Museum Acrylic glazing.
Piece includes holographic serial number sticker and certificate of authenticy on back.
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Statement about the Art Piece
As a black cat parent, I'm fascinated by the way in which humankind has reacted to black cats throughout history. Whereas some cultures regard "voids" as positive omens, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and safety, other cultures see them in a negative light, harbingers of death, destruction and doom. These opposing viewpoints were the inspiration behind my pieces for this show. In "The Void Taketh," a black cat's silhouette is filled with elements of destruction: lava, lighting, fire, and cosmic disarray. A symbolic scapegoat for the terrible things that happen in our world. In "The Void Giveth," a black cat is imbued with the virtues of life: trees, water, knowledge, and cosmic harmony. An auspicious visitor heralding a brighter future. In reality, neither superstitious viewpoint about the divisive black cat is true. They are simply black cats. But they do represent something greater, a mirror on ourselves and how we've projected our hopes and anxieties on natural phenomena in a search for answers about a seemingly random world. Black cats are more than house panthers who keep us company, they are a connection to our ancient selves, full of myth, uncertainty, fear and wonder.
About the Artist:
Matt McCarthy is a collage artist best known for using house cats as his primary subject matter. His work combines found images into uncannily realistic pictures that shock and delight. The utilization of existing cat images reinforces the timeless appeal of felines, and draws a common thread through a variety of media and reference material. McCarthy creates his art utilizing both traditional tools like scissors and glue and digital software like Photoshop, valuing the thoughtful process of hand-made art. His work has been widely displayed in print and online, including exhibitions at the National Collage Society and CatCon, and is part of many private collections, such as the Doug & Laurie Kanyer Art Collection. His first major solo show, MAGNUS CATTUS, was held at the Cary Arts Center in Cary, NC. Matt lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his senior black cat, Atticus, and his wife, writer Katherine Cox
