Ross Muir

Maddox Gallery is pleased to welcome artist Ross Muir’s latest series, a compelling exploration of self that builds upon the legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Known for his chameleonic practice, Muir once again trades his hand with that of one of the most resounding names in Art History. In his expressive brushstrokes, subversive themes and use of primary colours, at a glance, we see Basquiat, but looking past the surface, we know it is an original Muir. 

Born in 1981, Ross Muir grew up in Alexandria in the Vale of Leven, Scotland before moving to Glasgow in 2009. Turning to art later in life, this intensely talented artist is a master at using someone else’s language to consistently tell his own story.

At the crossroads between despair and faith, Muir found solace in the work of Basquiat, “Jean-Michel's story and work help me make the unreachable reachable”, Muir tells us. A departure from his polished portraits inspired by Old Masters, the emulation of Basquiat’s technique allowed the artist freedom and a sense of endless possibility. “My practice could be described as chaos, total chaos…”, the artist tells us, a believer in artistic flow, Muir's paintings channel his raw, instinctive energy. The studio transforms into a battleground of paint and emotion, “Some things got broken carrying out this work, some of those things can be fixed, some of those things can never be fixed…”

While each piece weaves its own narrative, a window into the artist’s story, there is an inevitable thread woven throughout the collection. The energy of a piece lingers onto the next, drawing on themes of the occult, pop-culture and art history, imbued in personal references. Muir seeks connections between the internal and external world, finding comfort in synchronicity and intuitive expression.

In what will be his third solo show with Maddox, this exhibition signifies a bold turning point for Muir. The 18 paintings on display showcase an unprecedented exploration of themes, colours, and scale, revealing a new dimension to his practice. A manifestation of contrast and contradiction, bold pinks, yellows and greens enter his palette, while canvases fluctuate in size and format, creating a visual dialogue between detail and outline, where each element plays off the other.

The painting, once confined to the studio walls, like “caged animals”, Muir says, finally bursting forth within the walls of our Berkeley Street Gallery.

DOWNLOAD THE CATALOGUE