PATRICK McGRATH MUÑIZ

Artist Statement
My work responds to our global age with its current crisis and prevalent mythology. In my oil and tempera paintings on  canvas and panel, I have created an anachronistic imaginary world where pagan gods, heroes and saints are resurrected from the vestiges of a post-industrial landscape. As they emerge from the ruins of a declining empire, we are confronted with the survival of the myth of a “Golden Age.” This myth presents a utopian existence when life seemed to be unspoiled by the proposed set of values from a culture based on profit and consumerism. The work opens up a “Pandora’s Box” of questions about how we got to our present global condition.

Inspired by recurrent Classical and Christian Iconography in western art, I paint on small “retablos” adopting Renaissance and Baroque painting techniques. This enables me to emulate previous strategies through indoctrination devices that remit to the time of the conquest and colonization of the Americas. Painting allows me to recreate intimate theater stages where I set up and orchestrate mythical and historical figures into satirical narratives that mirror my world today. Exposing a dialogue with history and mythology allows me to question today’s assumptions of the demise of colonialism, borders and the myth of a new global age of peace, prosperity and equality.

With a ruling omnipresent corporate global economy that diffuses and perpetuates its myths and doctrines over the globe though mass media we may ask ourselves: what hidden agenda do we finally serve by adopting these myths and doctrines? Where do our views of the current world come from? How has this information modified over time our attitudes towards nature, history and ourselves?

Artist Biography
Patrick was born in New York in 1975. At an early age his family moved to Puerto Rico. In 1993, Patrick enrolls in the School of Fine Arts of San Juan, Puerto Rico. There he studies Graphic Design and Painting. In 1996, he travels to Europe where he visits museums and studies old masterpieces. Back in Puerto Rico he opens a studio and art school. During this period the artist also makes several trips to the Caribbean, South and Central America.

In 2003 completes his studies in the School of Fine Arts of San Juan, where he graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts (Magna Cum Laude) majoring in painting. By 2006 he obtains a Master's Degree in Fine Arts with a major in painting (Magna Cum Laude) from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. Patrick exhibits his thesis show “Iconsumer” in Savannah and then in 2007 at the Museum of the Americas in San Juan. This show earns the artist the Prima Opera Award given by AICA (International Association of Art Critics). By the same year he shows “Iconsumer Media” at Las Capuchinas Convent and Museum in Antigua, Guatemala. The artist earns the Francisco Goya Award in Barcelona, Spain in 2008. In 2009 Patrick has solo shows in Florida, New York, Amsterdam and Guatemala. In 2010 the artist has a solo show “Era Dorada” in the Sacred Heart University in San Juan. Today he keeps showing his work both at an international and national level.

Education
2003
BA Painting (Magna Cum Laude), School of Fine
      Arts of San Juan, PR
2006
MA Painting (Summa Cum Laude), Savannah
      College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Collections
Albuquerque Museum of Art and History,
     Albuquerque, NM
Numerous private collections worldwide

Audio & Videos

AVE MATRIX INFORMATICA (DETAIL)

A short film produced by my ex-roomate Jaime Tapias who studied film at SCAD. At the time I was doing my M.F.A. in painting and developing the series of paintings known as Iconsumer. Some of the work can be seen in this film. I'll never forget those times as they were crucial to my formation.
(Click on Photo to view video)

Watch it on

Complete Resume

Patrick's SHOW Album