ASIAN ART

 
     

James Augustus McLean
(1904-1989)

A Retrospective

August 11 through September 21, 2011

   
 

 
 
 
 

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Visit The Best of North Carolina webpage to view artwork by other historically important North Carolina artists.

James McLean was born in 1904 in the rural foothills of the North Carolina Mountains. McLean knew early on that he wanted to study art; however there were very few opportunities in North Carolina in those days. In 1923 the young artist answered an ad to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. His submission was accepted and he spent five years studying under noted artists Daniel Garber, Charles Garner and Joseph Pearson. A Cresson Scholarship allowed McLean to further travel and study in Italy, France and Germany.

On completing his education, McLean returned to North Carolina to open the Southern School of the Creative Arts in Raleigh in 1929. This early effort towards art education was short lived with the subsequent stock market crash and the Great Depression; however McLean continued to be active in teaching art throughout the rest of his career.

During the '30s McLean worked on a number of WPA projects including murals for universities, high schools, and libraries. McLean was the staff artist at WUNC TV for 12 years in the 1950s and 1960s and exhibited at PAFA, The Ogunquit Summer Art Show, the High Museum, and the NC State Art Society annual exhibitions. he also devoted time as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University. McLean was a major contributor and promoter of art in North Carolina. He leaves an impact and a legacy that cannot be measured.

The curator for this exhibition is Mr. Ed Alexander. He was a close friend and collector of McLean's work for many decades during his lifetime, and after McLean died Alexander was asked by the family to manage the collection. Gallery C is indebted to Mr. Alexander for his knowledge and expertise in selecting the artwork for this Retrospective exhibition. This show consists of paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculpture that span over sixty years.

Click here to read a piece Mr. Alexander wrote about his personal experiences with Mr. McLean

Click here to read a biography of James Augustus McLean written by Dr. Everette James

Available Works
Ballet Dancers
ink, 1977
12 x 9 inches
Dancer in Dress
ink, 1980
15 x 10 inches SOLD
Ballet Dancers
plaster, 1950-1960
19 x 12 x 1 inches
     
Day Break
watercolor, 1983
16 x 20 inches
Deco Female
graphite, 1988
13 x 10 inches SOLD
Female Nude
ink, 1970
15 x 10 inches
         
Female Nude
ink, 1979
12 x 9 inches
Female Nude
ink, 1973
12 x 16 inches SOLD
Female Nude
ink, 1975
13 x 9 inches SOLD
         

Fishermen, Pamlico Sound
oil, 1980
12 x 15 inches

SOLD

John White
watercolor, 1950
19 x 10 inches
Landscape with Trees
watercolor, 1985
12 x 16 inches SOLD
         
Live Oak
oil, 1970
24 x 15 inches
Male and Female
ink, 1976
13 x 11 inches SOLD
Male Figure Study
charcoal, 1930
26 x 20 inches
         
Modern Abstract
watercolor, 1978
21 x 13 inches
Nude Female Among Leaves
ink, 1978
10 x 8 inches
Old House
oil, 1950
22 x 26 inches
         
Paris From My Window
oil, 1965
27 x 22 inches

Elegant Young Lady
oil, 1927
27 x 26 inches

Preacher Man
oil, 1935
25 x 16 inches
         
Sir Walter and the Queen
watercolor, 1959
12 x 17 inches
Snowy House
oil, 1940
28 x 23 inches
South Sea Islanders
oil, 1965
43 x 30 inches
         
Speak No Evil
Italian marble, 1950s - 1970s
16 x 10 x 5 inches
Standing Deco Female
ink, 1975
17 x 8 inches SOLD
Standing Deco Female
ink, 1975
14 x 9 inches SOLD
         
Standing Female Nude
ink, 1976
13 x 7 inches
Sun and Sand
watercolor
16 x 20 inches
Tree
oil
36 x 28 inches
         
Tropical Island
oil, 1940
23 x 17 inches
Woman's Face
limestone, 1950s - 1970s
16 x 12 x 4 inches
Young Athlete
ink, 1985
21 x 12 inches
         
 
 
Young Lady - Holly
oil, 1975
20 x 16 inches
         

Contact Gallery C at 888-278-3973 or art@galleryc.net for available work.
   
       

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Gallery C • Blount Street Commons • 540 North Blount Street • Raleigh, NC 27604
919-828-3165 (phone) • 888-278-3973 (toll free) • 919-828-7795 (fax)
art@galleryc.net