Review: MDMN’s “New Wave” at Gallery 38

Reviewed by Julie Faith

“It’s about heroes and villains,” I said, “Graphic novel, comic book style. Only WAY better cuz he’s street!” That’s me requesting the pleasure of the boyfriend’s company at Gallery 38 for MDMN’s new solo exhibition, “New Wave”. It didn’t take any more convincing than that. See, I’ve been following MDMN for a few years so I know that his mural work has a distinctive style reminiscent of Marvel and DC comics and yet with an entirely unique aesthetic. Using explosive colors, clean lines, and characters that are emotionally charged, MDMN’s paintings are easily identifiable in the street. Literally from blocks away. So I knew it would be fun to see that all that frenetic energy harnessed in a gallery setting.

In the same way that graphic novels and comic books use sequential art to tell a story, the “New Wave” installation is comprised of uniform 30” x 30” canvas panels in simple, understated frames along mostly white and 2 black walls. And, interestingly, in the center of the gallery space there were two podiums with acrylic display cases housing “artifacts” from the MDMN universe. The set up encourages the viewer to look for a cohesive plot within the show. I’m not convinced there is one nor am I convinced there isn’t. What I do know is that MDMN’s entire combined body of work, indoors and out, is an epic saga of adventure in progress.

MDMN’s “New Wave” of intrepid superheroes, dramatic women, and menacing bad guys are at Gallery 38 through September 7th. This story has only just begun.