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Thomas “T.J.” James peruses the works of artist Conor Mccreedy
Conor Mccreedy is an internationally known artist, art collector and entrepreneur who lives between New York City, South Africa and Paris.
Originally from Johannesburg, Mccreedy was intrinsically drawn to painting in his youth. He attended St. David’s Marist Inanda where he excelled at soccer and went on to represent South Africa in the Gothia Cup junior world soccer tournament in Sweden.
Next came a stint at Hilton College. Here Mccreedy was awarded the Kennith Beghin memorial prize for art and also a first prize in the annual university arts competition. At the time, Mccreedy’s art professor stated in a letter of recommendation:
“Conor is one of the most outstanding pupils to come through the department of art in the last decade. He is undoubtedly one of the most naturally talented individuals I have ever seen in my lifetime.”
Obtaining an IEB Matric pass with Distinction in Art gave Mccreedy admission to the University of South Africa but instead he attended university in North Carolina on a golf scholarship. Later, he decided to change paths again and transferred to the Pratt Institute in New York.
By happenstance he met the American comedian Chris Rock’s uncle and through him gained an introduction to the president of the National Arts Club. This brought a significant break and Mccreedy became the youngest artist to be invited to hold a solo exhibition entitled, Outliers, at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, New York in 2010.
Mccreedy’s artistic style has developed significantly over the years. His masterful strokes of the brush and lines are now considered unsurpassed. Mccreedy’s paintings are dabbled with ambiguity, which causes one to develop a new understanding and outlook. His paintings truly evoke truth and the sublime. In them also, he uses his figures as a tool to question modern views of sexual, racial and social identity.
As an example of his style, Mccreedy’s Indigo Blue Series provide the viewer with a lugubrious surface but, as the eye becomes entranced by his work, the somber veil is lifted and an array of expressions and emotions are revealed.
Mccreedy uses a specific type of blue for his paintings. He named it “Mccreedy Blue” and it now transcends from his art into his unique style. The implementation of this colour in both his dress and art create a unifying theme of distinction and also are representative of the brand that he has become. Resultingly, GQ Magazine listed Conor Mccreedy as South Africa’s best dressed man for 2012 which is surprising given that he detests shopping.
Mccreedy is also heavily involved in social media also and highly influential in this domain. He is the most followed South African on twitter with just under 300,000 followers and tweets to them regularly. He uses his fame for good as well and chooses to support the Faces of Hope Foundation that provides funding to support children and adults with leukemia and lymphoma.
When home in South Africa Mccreedy becomes inspired by the euphoric scents of the African bush. He has a love for animals, especially lions, and is intrinsically connected to the raw nature and beauty of Africa.
Mccreedy will be spending this summer in The Hamptons and Manhattan this year. Here he’ll continue to create and be inspired by the world around him.
View more examples of Conor Mccreedy’s works at: http://www.conormccreedy.com
Follow Conor Mccreedy on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/CONORMCCREEDY
Follow Thomas James on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/thomasjames124
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Internationally renowned South African conceptual artist, Conor Mccreedy has exhibited at the National Arts Club in New York and the David Brown Fine Art Gallery in Johannesburg. (more…)
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