{"id":55391,"date":"2025-03-13T18:41:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T22:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=55391"},"modified":"2025-03-13T19:02:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T23:02:36","slug":"the-murray-show-at-gallery-1313","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=55391","title":{"rendered":"The Murray Show at Gallery 1313"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Installation view of the Murray<\/em> show at Gallery 1313. Photo: Phil Anderson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is unusual about the exhibition currently running at Gallery 1313 is that it isn\u2019t about the 46 artists participating, but rather it celebrates the life of the subject of all the artworks on display, namely the veteran artists\u2019 model Murray McKay. McKay recently passed away at age 79 years. He had been a regular life model at many venues in and around Toronto, including OCAD, Toronto School of Art and many art clubs, for several decades. Growing up in Minetonnis, Manitoba, McKay studied theology in Winnipeg, before leading an itinerant lifestyle that took him variously to Toronto, Vancouver and St John, Nfld. Eventually he settled more or less permanently in Toronto. By all accounts, as well a having a penchant for wandering he was a free spirit involved in theatre and music. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The poster of the exhibition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So modelling for artists was a natural vocation for Murray, as his many friends and associates simply referred to him as. What struck the countless artists and art students he posed for over the years was his professionalism. Both students and teachers alike noticed how attentive he was to their needs in terms of knowing how to pose, for how long and what anatomical details would be of interest to them. And anatomically speaking he was an ideal model \u2013 lithe in movement, slim and naturally athletic, so the students were able to learn a great deal about muscular and skeletal details looking at him. In turn he looked at them. As internationally renowned artist Evan Penny, who has several sculptures in the show, remarks: \u2018Ever present and aware of the activities around him, I was often left feeling that I was the one being observed\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Installation view of the Murray <\/em>show with Evan Penny, White Murray, hydro stone, 52 inches (centre)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is of course not a facetious remark that the show is not about the artists, but the subject of the artworks. The irony is that most of the artworks are the product of life drawing sessions, so they are largely viewed as a means to an end, rather than anything particularly deserving contemplation and attention in their own right. Who the model is, therefore, is usually incidental. Sometimes he did pose for professional artistic production such as Penny\u2019s sculptures and Kagan McLeod\u2019s graphic novel. But in general Murray\u2019s modelling work was far more pedestrian, and so it is notable how nonetheless he took his own work very seriously. The \u2018consummate professional\u2019 as many describe him.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kagan McLeod, Excerpt from \u2018Tentmaster\u2019, Graphic Novel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fact is a reminder of how crucial attitude is with respect to so much of what we do. Especially in the arts it is always very challenging to be taken seriously. Taking one\u2019s own<\/em> work seriously, therefore, is vital. When something is done seriously, with care and attention, and competence, it is at least reciprocally amenable to due consideration. It seems to me that the artists who worked with Murray recognised and appreciated his seriousness. Even if the artworks he most often saw being produced around him were likely destined for a dusty cupboard or the waste bin, he understood the importance of their endeavours. He respected them. And they in turn respected him.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Installation view of the Murray<\/em> show at Gallery 1313<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is fitting, therefore, that the venue for this show should be Gallery 1313. This gallery has lasted over twenty fives years because of the dedication and selfless service of countless number of people and the community at large, who have in various ways supported it. It too is testament to doing things seriously, understanding that that is what matters in the end. This show is truly a community effort, done purely out of respect for one of its treasured members. Murray\u2019s departure is clearly felt by very many. Celebrating his life offers them an opportunity to acknowledge one another as well as Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Works by Paul McCusker (top and bottom left) and Helen McCuster (bottom right)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many works on display that they must be hung salon style. Over all the effect is of a sea of life drawings that can inundate you. Nonetheless there are some gems amongst them. A few sympathetic portraits are a highlight, for example, Kevin Bae\u2019s drawing \u201cPortrait of Murray\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kevin Bae, Portrait of Murray, mixed media on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, some of the life drawings have a finished quality that impresses. For example, Chris Landreth\u2019s \u201cMurray\u201d and Peter Campbell\u2019s \u201cKing of Models On an Imaginary Throne\u201d. Particularly striking is an array of terracotta studies of Murray\u2019s bust by Evan Penny, artfully mounted on a wall next to his imposing sculpture of Murray in stone. These studies were done shortly before Murray\u2019s death, which gives them a poignancy, of course. I was also struck by Tom Campbell\u2019s little oil studies, especially the one of his profile.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Peter Campbell, King of Models on an Imaginary Throne, Conte on paper, 18 x 24 inches<\/p>\n\n\n

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Chris Landreth, Murray, charcoal and pastel on paper, 18 x 24 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many more modest but beautiful renditions of this much loved model. Murray has been described as a gentleman, a muse and an inspiration. And as Donna Metcalf notes, \u2018He was a wonder and will be greatly missed\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text and photo: Hugh Alcock<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Exhibition information: Murray <\/em>\/Group show, organized by George Traini, March 5 \u2013 16, 2025, Gallery 1313, 1313 Queen Street West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed \u2013 Sat 1 \u2013 5 pm, Sun 1 \u2013 4 pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Hugh Alcock<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many modest but beautiful renditions of this much loved model. Murray has been described as a gentleman, a muse and an inspiration.<\/p>\n

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