MARY ANN STRANDELL

THE BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN   2006-2007                                                       Byron C. Cohen Fine Arts

The Big Rock Candy Mountain reflects the versatile nature of Mary Ann Strandell’s artistic oeuvre, in her tireless use of drawing, printing, and painting; she re-considers the use of digital media in her studio practice. The layered drawings and paintings speak of place, of signposts from urban walks, industrial remnants, engineer towers, railroad cars, and odd vignettes of chinoiserie characters. The lure of the fantastic takes on new form.

In reconsidering the artist’s many road trips across the US and internationally; she celebrates the 1920’s song by Harry McClintock, “The Big Rock Candy Mountain”. The hobo and the transient imagine life without hardship, one full of desires met, sung to an audience that lives entirely on the fringe of society. Strandell shares many early memories of the mysteries of the hobo life, and the desire to run free on the rails; a young girl’s naiveté. These images come to haunt and comfort in a time when the notion of escaping urbanity and the odious relationship to a global economy become proportionally obscure. The Big Rock Candy Mountain series is delightful panache of hope and odd cheer, presented in a montage-like narrative.