Joseph McGurl grew up on the shore near Boston Harbor. The harbor and its 32 islands were an adventure-filled escape when he was a boy. “The neighborhood I grew up in was densely populated, and the harbor and islands gave me a sense of freedom and space with their open fields and panoramic views,” he says. “I loved exploring these islands and knew them all intimately. I was intrigued by the interaction between land, sea and tides and also the geometry of the island shapes.” He continues to return to them in an ongoing series, The Boston Harbor Islands Project. 
The Boston Harbor Island Project, Tidal Rhythms, Prince Head, oil on canvas, 24 x 48"
“Though I find physical beauty there,” he explains, “they, as are all the elements in my paintings, are just a foil to explore my artistic and philosophical interests. Tidal Rhythms, Prince Head focuses on, and the composition depends on, the strong sense of light—a phenomenon important in modern physics and also metaphysics. Painting late in the day while the light is changing so quickly emphasizes the fact that we exist on a rotating round ball illuminated by the sun floating in a universe of known and unknown facts.”
Boats sail gracefully between the islands while a dinghy sits anchored in the mud at low tide. The color changes from cool to warm as the eye moves from left to right. Prince Head looms at the end of the long, sandy neck that connects it to Paddocks Island. Seaweed marks the tide line. The wet mud, reflecting sky and clouds, is a scene of shimmering subtlety. Although our sophisticated attention may wander to the picturesque sailboats, our more primal instincts are attracted to the fecundity and the overlooked beauty of the mudflats.
Warm Winter Sun, The Hudson River, oil on linen panel, 18 x 24"
Shallow Water, oil on linen panel, 18 x 24"
Referring to the use by some artists of photographic references, he says, “My art is concerned with how the human mind and our senses interpret reality, and I do not want it unnaturally influenced.” He continues, “If you place three landscape painters outside in the landscape, they will each interpret it differently. Because of the changing light conditions, different lighting on the subject and on the panel, the myriad of details, extreme value and color ranges, blowing clouds, crashing waves and environmental impacts, it is impossible for them to paint exactly what they see. The artists will also consciously or subconsciously give an emotional response to the elements that are impacting their other senses.”
Joseph McGurl painting on location.
He continues, “Contemplating our place in the universe, for me, I feel it is better to look outward rather than to myself for the answer. I want to minimize my presence in the scene. I don’t want my ego to get in the way of the viewer being able to enter the scene and almost subconsciously drift to that place that inspired me. By being able to enter a scene, which appears natural and has no stylistic barriers, I, and hopefully the viewer, may begin to contemplate the answers that nature provides to the ‘big questions.’” —
Joseph McGurl: Contemporary American Luminism: Journey through Time and Space will be shown at Cavalier Gallery in New York beginning April 30.
Cavalier Gallery 3 W. 57th Street • New York, NY 10019 • (212) 570-4696 • www.cavaliergalleries.com
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