Meryl McMacter: In-Between Worlds
Meryl McMacter, Victoria, 2013, Digital Chromogenic Print, 36 x 50 inches
April 27 – June 1, 2013
Katzman Kamen Gallery
Meryl McMacter is one of the most interesting young photographers working today. Her remarkable work in her Second Self series, had me looking forward to her show at Katzman Kamen Gallery. I could relate easily to her photograph in the CONTACT catalogue, Aphoristic currents. Layers and layers, rolls of rolls of newspaper surround a young woman’s head—almost to the point of downing. Her face—painted with a Native pattern—is just barely above these “waves” that represent the teachings of her two different backgrounds: European and Native. Looking at the other images on display, the Native background comes through strongly. Set mostly in winter landscapes, the artist poses in various costumes that call to mind stories of her people in the north. Wingeds calling shows a big bird—a totem animal maybe—that purposefully moves to fulfill some call. In a few other images McMaster—in clothing suggestive of traditional dress—performs some ancient ritual (Victoria) or becomes the host of a metal bird nest (Harbinger of Sudden Departure). These staged images are very cold and even the bloodiest is somewhat quiet. Regardless their strong narrative, they radiate solitude.
Emese Krunák-Hajagos