Mango Tango Art Gallery will unveil The Final Vision, an exhibition of oil paintings and drawings by the late Mel McCuddin on Saturday, June 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All works will be on display and available for purchase.
McCuddin, who passed away in late 2022, leaves behind a body of work rooted in figurative expressionism. “His figurative expressionist art continues to offer a compelling vision of the human condition,” says gallery owner Jane Coombes.
This exhibition marks a poignant milestone: it is Mango Tango’s last show featuring McCuddin’s work. For the past four years, the gallery has been entrusted by McCuddin’s family with the care, display, and sale of his estate. Following this final show, the family has requested that all remaining artwork be returned to them — meaning every unsold McCuddin piece will be permanently removed from the art market.
In his own words, McCuddin reflected on his life and artistic process:
“I was born and raised in the Spokane area and I currently live and work in the city of Millwood. My medium of choice is oil paint. My earlier paintings were abstract expressionist for the most part, and gradually evolved into my
present style as I felt the need to more precisely communicate my thoughts. My method of painting, however, has not changed, and I still approach a painting in the same way. I begin a painting with no idea in mind and at a certain point in the process of putting paint on the canvas, an idea will suggest itself. Many of these ideas change and many are rejected until one seems strong enough to accept. My paintings, then, are essentially a record of the evolution of an idea.
“The imagery that has developed over the course of my career is largely figurative. The figures are both human and animal, and most of them relate to human actions, associations and relationships, many of which are drawn from personal experience.
“My justification for 40 years of work is that I am trying to put something worthwhile into the world and to make paintings that cannot be forgotten,” Coombes said.
“It is always a joy to share his art,” Coombes said.
The opening night celebration will feature Neko Crush spinning Dark Wave, Gothic, and New Wave tunes inspired by McCuddin’s surrealist sensibilities, alongside spirits and appetizers.
The Final Vision will run through July 27. To learn more or view the exhibition, visit mangotangoart.com or call 340-777-3060.
