Exhibition
in New York, NY / United States
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- Carson Monahan: Joyride, 2026, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 in
Monya Rowe Gallery is pleased to announce the second solo exhibition by Detroit-based artist Carson Monahan titled “Hard Luck”. Monahan’s newest suite of paintings reflect the present-day unrest felt in the modern world. “Hard Luck” continues Monahan’s engagement with psychologically layered protagonists set within a cryptic noir sensibility. Pool halls, martinis, hard cash and alleyways set the tone for lawless individuals abiding by their own morally questionable principles. Undercurrents of impending destruction, or chaos, are common threads throughout the exhibition. Evoking Magical Realism, the works oscillate between the known and unknown.
Drawing inspiration as varied as Early Renaissance paintings to David Lynch films, each mise-en-scéne suggests turmoil simmering just underneath the surface. The recreational activities depicted allude to undertones of illegal activity such as gambling, arson, or theft. Music, jazz specifically, is utilized to imply spontanaiety, chance and improvisation. Reminders of lawlessness and individual expression. Sartorially, the utilitarian style deliberately represents an unknown period suggesting timelessness and mystery.
In “Joyride” (2026), a poker-faced man positioned near a burning car appears defiantly unnerved by the nearby destruction. The apparent apathy, perhaps a symptom of the time, contributes to the uncertainty of the central character’s participation in the ruin. Throughout the exhibition, Monahan captures a rebellious spirit where instability and resilience coexist. “Joyride” (2026) not only acts as a metaphor for rebuilding a broken society, but is also anchored in hope and courage.
Carson Monahan (b. 1985, Ann Arbor, MI) received a BBA from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Recent exhibitions include Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX; Monument, Kingston, NY; and Monya Rowe Gallery, NY. The artist was awarded a 2023 residency at Willow House, Terlingua, TX. Monahan is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Detroit, MI, and is represented by Monya Rowe Gallery, NY.
Gallery hours Tue-Sat 12 – 6 pm
Exhibition Duration 02 April – 09 May 2026
Location:
Monya Rowe Gallery
224 West 30th Street, #304
10001 New York, NY
United States
