Rosetta
The Rosetta Stone contains instructions in three languages which provide a way to decipher the meanings of ancient hieroglyphs. The stone essentially helped the modern world to understand ancient societies.
The Rosetta works are inspired by the ideas of cross-culturalism; today’s societies are highly interconnected but we are still individuals though, with our own ways, philosophies and ideologies. The artworks contain symbols, glyphs and figures arranged in narratives with groups and individuals. Like a society they greet, eat, procreate, walk, dance, rest and sleep. The works don’t decipher or provide a guide like the Rosetta Stone but they are about visually questioning why sometimes we cannot live simply with respect for each-other and even enjoy and embrace our differences. We are one of many and many of one. The single figures were inspired by the lone characters made by Giacometti but for different reasons. Who would we be if we were stripped of our identities and our cultures? Would we become lonely figures suspended in space, or just happy individuals; would we truly be free?
Stephen McGrath
Rosetta 2024 - 2025 Artworks placed in virtual gallery
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on linen
92 x 122 cm (Four paintings 400cm x 122cm)
Stephen McGrath
Rosetta 2024 - 2025
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on linen
92 x 122 cm (Four paintings 400cm x 122cm)
Stephen McGrath
The Big Men 2025
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on linen
92 x 122 cm (Three panels 300 x 122 cm)
Stephen McGrath
8 Billion One, Two, Three 2025
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on canvas
14.8 x 21 cm
Stephen McGrath
8,232,473,299 2025
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on canvas
14.8 x 21 cm
Stephen McGrath
8 Billion, 2025
Acrylic, gesso and print transfer on canvas
40 x 50 cm