PEC | InQuarries: Laurie McGugan Solo Show

This exhibition brings together two series by Laurie McGugan, both exploring themes of land use, scale, and play. The first, PEC, focuses on rural scenes featuring dairy cow and farmer figurines, inspired by the artist’s upbringing on a beef farm. The staged images recall the tension of escaped livestock, with oil-painted toys layered onto giclée photographs. Limited editions and small oil studies of Holstein toy cows accompany the works.

The second series, InQuarries, examines the hidden world of gravel pits—industrial sites often shielded from view. Here, oversized toys such as pails and shovels are painted into the scenes, transforming the pits into imagined sandboxes. This playful approach invites reflection on the monumental scale of these landscapes and human intervention within them. Rather than offering political commentary, the artist positions the work as a catalyst for dialogue, encouraging viewers to bring their own narratives to these altered environments.

Opening Reception: Saturday August 30th from 1-4 PM. The artist will be in attendance.

Laurie McGugan will also be the guest artist during the Prince Edward County Studio Tour at Melt Studio and Gallery, Stop #40 on the map, from September 19th – 21st, 2025, 10 AM-5 PM.

On now until September 21st, 2025 at Melt Studio and Gallery, Barrack 3, 343 County Road 22, Base31, Picton. Learn more at meltstudiogallery.com/focus-1.