Tim Magenta, They Say Mountain Views are Pathways

My work is a body of paintings that navigates the subject matter of the American Landscape. These works are inspired by the impact of the outdoors on markets of pop culture, personal adventures, and plein air studies. Within these explorations starts to emerge dichotomies that reflect my own experiences of urban lifestyle and the longing for the wilderness of the American Landscape. My practice shifted during the pandemic when urban society began to favor the rural terrains across the United States. Focused on the goal of understanding the role of the landscape in current cultural climates, I gravitate towards monolithic forms of mountains, mesas, and canyons that undertake a symbolic presence that represent themes of authority and power.

Part of my practice at its foundation is rooted in the methods of the American masters such as Thomas Cole and Albert Bierdstadt. I create plein air studies done on location that become larger creations in my urban studio. In current paintings I am using direct compositional copies to explore further contexts of ownership. Direct paint and color application contrasts the magical atmosphere of the romantic landscapes.

Tim Magenta (b. 1992) is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his MFA from American University and attended residencies at Chautauqua School of Art in Chautauqua, NY. and StudioMFABerlin at GlougauAir in Berlin, Germany. Magenta recently had a solo show at The Performance Garage, Philadelphia, PA. and a two-person show at Westminster College, Westminster, PA. Selected group exhibition venues include Hot Bed Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, Sense Gallery, Washington DC, Fowler-Kellogg Gallery in Chautauqua, NY, Eckert Art Gallery at Millersville University, and Katzen Art Museum in Washington, D.C