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Thomas McDonell might not be especially familiar a name but the reasons to remember it are plenty. New York-based, in his early 20s, an independent artist involved in painting and other forms of art... Swide looks at the numerous artists wrapped into one

Promising artist

Young he might be but Thomas McDonell has already been involved in a number of projects (see here)... No wonder he caught Interview's eye; watch their video portrait below.

(Click the photograph to watch Thomas' video introduction to the world.)

Amongst the projects he has been involved in so far, Better History might have made the most impact. Displayed at the 7Eleven Gallery in NYC last year, it aimed at presenting the ambitious and optimistc works of the younger generation alongside more established artists, therefore building a bridge across the NY art scene.

The portable sign presented by Thomas McDonell.

A broader view of the exhibition.

Handsome artist

Admittedly not our main criteria in terms of art appreciation but then it is a rather effective way to catch one's attenton regardless of the context. And so Thomas' feat as a model for 10 Magazine may well have given us an extra incentive to look at his art... 

Multi-tasking artist

 And he acts! Well, acted, once, in a rather unusual context - young NYC artist in a Shangai-based kung fu film... As Thomas told Interview: "I was living in Shanghai a few years back and randomly went to this casting call. Afterward, a woman called me and was like, “Do this movie.” It turned out to be The Forbidden Kingdom—some crazy weird kung fu film. It’s not really my thing, but it was a big deal in China because it was the first movie to star both Jackie Chan and Jet Li." Not sure what that means either but clearly our young Thomas is versatile! Thomas is also due to star in Twelve alongside, wait a minute, who's that fit preppy guy on that gossipy teenage show? (Yep, Chace Crawford is becoming a drug dealer!)

One might say the acting was just a side effect of the good looks - fair enough. What Thomas really is besides an artist is a highly talented producer and curator. He has indeed been involved in a number of projects including other young artists. Black Mondays ran last year in May and featured a myyriad of emerging names, all brought together by Thomas' great mind for contemporary art and its mechanisms.

Read more on the exhibition here.

Innovative artist

Anyone with little enthusiam for the contemporary art scene might mention the lack of simplicity and fun involved in a number of creative processes, and might be left wanting for more spontaneity. McDonell's approach to art does exactly that, whether as a maker or as a producer. Of Better History, Artslant wrote: “If the exhibition was personified it would be a colorfully decked out kid amidst a bunch of paranoid gallerists yelling, “Fuck work! Let’s have fun!”

More interesting even would be the idea thought up by Thomas as far as the showing of a fellow artist’s video project was concerned. His friend produces video content best enjoyed in HD, this friend is young like Thomas with a limited access to galleries and resources… What does young Thomas come up with? But of course, why not transform an existing functional space with an altogether different purpose into a gallery? And where better than in HD screen heaven, multimedia store Best Buy? So simple and fresh an idea no one else came up with it.

 

Intriguing artist

 As it is with any artist, ultimately Thomas McDonell's work retains a part of impenetrability and so we shall keep wondering for many more artworks to come!

Lisa

Ghoul

Shredded money (Oh and he's political too!)

 

Aurelie Bellavigna

 

Source and credits: Thomas McDonell, Interview

TAGS: thomas mcdonell artist young artist contemporary art nyc; east village interview better history best buy hd screens moon 10 magazine dolce&gabbana black mondays twelve chace crawford