The COMP Magazine Esau McGhee - Inspecting Urban Constructs

Though formerly trained, Esau McGhee appears to be the Outsider’s Outsider. McGhee investigates urban class and race constructions via his ongoing series of large collages and installations that use traditional applications coupled with contemporary imagery and methodologies. The COMP Magazine visited McGhee’s East Garfield Park studio earlier this year to discuss the affinity that boxing has with the art making process, social constructs in present day America, and his evolving aesthetic.

Esau McGhee, Untitled #17 (Yellow), 2014 (24x24 inches)

Esau McGhee, Untitled #17 (Yellow), 2014 (24×24 inches)

So, you’re a Philly man who’s now residing in Chicago. Can you offer some background details that have informed your artistic practice?

I’ve been in Chicago for such a long time that my East Coast friends refer to me as “Esau from Chicago.” Although I have to honestly say I feel like an “Outsider” in both spaces. One aspect of being an “Outsider” is that it’s enabled me to critique a space because I have no geographical allegiance. My view of Philly, Chicago and other spaces is unfiltered and probably way more dynamic than someone who expresses a geographical allegiance. I feel like this comes through in the studio practice.

Esau McGhee, Untitled (Railroad Crossing/Pedestrian Crosswalk), 2015 (48x48 inches) collage of archive prints and archival tape

Esau McGhee, Untitled (Railroad Crossing/Pedestrian Crosswalk), 2015 (48×48 inches) collage of archive prints
and archival tape

Boxing came up during our conversation. You have a background and interest in the sport. Do you see any analogies or connections between this and how you think about art?

As for boxing…I could always draw a hyper connection between it and how I think about art. A better analogy could be in the connectivity between boxing and how the Art World deals with identity. Just think of how when you look at the history of boxing (especially the heavy weight division) and how the champions in the sport usually resembled those out lying groups who where/are making the most strides socially and socio-economically.

The same can be said for the “Art World.” You can break it down via its champions and their causes. You’ll have Women, Blacks, Gay, Lesbian and Trans Artist. The only socially constructed identity you may not see in this fight is the “Hetero White Male.” He’s basically the retired Champion. He’s…Rocky Marciano, an undefeated Champion (to some) with a questionable record.

Esau McGhee, Alley Landscape, 2014 (24x24 inches)

Esau McGhee, Alley Landscape, 2014 (24×24 inches)

In your collage work there are distinctly narrative images (e.g., building storefronts, distressed magazine covers, etc.) and more formal studies implementing patterns in quilt-like compositions. Your approach, at times, appears to be moving in a couple directions. Is this due to an evolving aesthetic? Or, is this the effects of time and new interests?

Initially, I want to say time and new interest. BUT why can’t that include an evolving aesthetic? If I were to say all of the above, the “evolving aesthetic” portion would probably be minimal.

Esau McGhee, Untitled Image, 2015 (48x48 inches) collage of archive prints and archival tape

Esau McGhee, Untitled Image, 2015 (48×48 inches) collage of archive prints and archival tape

You focus on the “image” of urban racial construction and the sites of its consumption. Can you walk us through your methodology and philosophy when considering this issue?

Well, there’s a method of should we say “farming.” This is the gathering of material and images of the space in which the material comes from. The material itself goes through a gestation period. This can be anywhere from a day to ten years. It’s taken that long in some instances for some materials to present themselves in the work/practice. That’s a very small portion or the production side of the methodology as for the philosophy I won’t bore you.

Esau McGhee, Untitled Sunset & Landscape #2, 2014 (24x24 inches)

Esau McGhee, Untitled Sunset & Landscape #2, 2014 (24×24 inches)

What is your current focus? Do you have any specific items that you hope to complete during 2015?

As for my current focus and specific items to complete during 2015…I’m always producing work. As of right now, I’m more focused on producing works in different mediums to further discuss special relations and social constructs…