Maceo Eagle’s studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is a luminous retreat that breathes life into his artistic endeavors. Bathed in sunlight streaming through generous windows, this space serves as a sanctuary where creativity thrives. At the heart of it all, a meticulously organized desk stands adorned with an array of watercolor materials, poised for Eagle’s meticulous touch. Jars of pigments and an assortment of brushes populate this space, a testament to his dedication to the craft. Here, Eagle meticulously brings his visions to life, delicately weaving intricate details into each stroke, imbuing his artworks with a sense of meticulous precision.

Around the studio, canvases adorned with a mesmerizing fusion of biological and futuristic elements stand as visual narratives in progress. Each canvas represents an ongoing exploration, where Eagle fearlessly pushes the boundaries of his imagination. Vivid colors and swirling forms dance across the surfaces, capturing the essence of his experimentation. In one corner, a punching bag hangs ready, offering an outlet for creative tension. When the need arises, Eagle channels his emotions into powerful strikes, transforming moments of artistic struggle into kinetic release. Across the studio, a commanding wooden easel dominates the space, inviting Eagle to stand before it and unleash his intuition onto the awaiting canvas. Here, his artistic instincts take flight, allowing him to translate abstract ideas into tangible expressions of his boundless imagination.

Eagle’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of change and the boundless possibilities that come with embracing a new creative chapter. The debut solo exhibition, BEHOLDER, at Villazan Gallery stands as a vibrant tapestry woven with three years of dedicated research and development. The exhibition unveils Eagle’s exploration into dynamic, ever-shifting forms that gracefully dance between the biomorphic and the figurative.

The genesis of Eagle’s current body of work can be traced back to the onset of the pandemic, a period that marked the closure of Kinfolk, the Brooklyn establishment where Eagle had spent a triumphant 12-year tenure. Kinfolk, evolving from a Tokyo bike shop into a multifaceted institution in Brooklyn, encompassed a cafe, club, and retail store. With Kinfolk’s doors shuttered, Eagle found himself at a crossroads, prompting a relocation to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where he established a studio and immersed himself in the world of painting.

“Maceo Eagle’s paintings have a loose and inky freedom, like washy stained glass kaleidoscope’s bleeding cosmic mellowness and mystery” — Todd James

Eagle’s paintings radiate a loose and inky freedom, described by Todd James as akin to “washy stained glass kaleidoscopes bleeding cosmic mellowness and mystery.” The vibrant compositions come to life through a striking color palette reminiscent of hi-vis safety vests or vintage rave flyers, creating a visual language that speaks to the essence of pre-internet youth culture.

Rooted in Eagle’s graffiti origins, the colorful, swirling lines in his paintings conjure the spirit of wildstyle graffiti murals, offering a nod to his artistic roots. Beyond graffiti, the exhibition pays homage to a myriad of cultural influences, drawing inspiration from the science-fiction magazine Omni. Eagle’s neon compositions could easily be interpreted as depictions of extraterrestrial landscapes, adding an otherworldly dimension to his work.

The diverse cultural experiences that have shaped Eagle’s life—from the DIY punk scene of Olympia and Seattle to his time in Tokyo immersed in vintage streetwear and high fashion—find expression in his art. Having founded the multifaceted brand Kinfolk and opened a legendary Williamsburg nightclub and retail space, Eagle’s life has consistently revolved around art and culture. Now, in his debut solo exhibition, he confidently steps into the spotlight as an artist, liberated from the constraints of telling other people’s stories.

“I’m trying to compose without being tied to telling a story.”

“What I am trying to do is explore this zone where there’s a component of reality, and specifically nature, that I’m trying to illustrate—a thing that looks as if it happens in the natural world. Something natural that might happen at all scales, from the micro to the macro, everywhere in between. There are visual physical attributes I am exploring with paint. An imagined universal scale or a galactic scale looks really similar to a microbial scale, or I imagine it to be. I’m trying to compose without being tied to telling a story. I’ve spent much of my career as an artist communicating other people’s stories in my studio. Now I am just trying to get into the rendering of shapes that could be. I’m attempting to create the stuff that things are made of, mostly biological. When I’m painting, I just block in some shape, then try to think of what nature might do with a shape like this. In some woo-woo spiritual way, you could say, ‘What would the creator do?’ And then I try to do that,” said the artist.

Moreover, his participation in the group show “In Bloom” at NYC’s Padre Gallery in 2021 adds another layer to his artistic narrative. The collaborative nature of group exhibitions provides a platform for artists to engage with diverse perspectives and showcase their work within a broader artistic dialogue. Eagle’s inclusion in “In Bloom” reflects his continued presence and impact within the contemporary art scene.

Beyond his paintings, Eagle’s creative expression extends to the literary realm. In 2013, he released the book ‘Escape to the Present,’ featuring archival, in-situ watercolor artworks in a hardbound notebook. This book was presented at the Bookmark Tokyo outpost, offering a glimpse into Eagle’s multifaceted artistic endeavors. The book was also presented at Perrotin’s New York City gallery, showcasing the evolution of his artistic journey over time.

Eagle’s artistic evolution, as vividly displayed in his first solo show BEHOLDER, is a celebration of uninhibited creative freedom. His paintings, characterized by loose and inky strokes, draw inspiration from a myriad of influences, weaving together elements from graffiti, youth culture, and science fiction. The exhibition transcends conventional boundaries, offering viewers an immersive experience that speaks to the diverse tapestry of Eagle’s life and cultural experiences. BEHOLDER, beyond being a static display of paintings, is a living testament to the artist’s multifaceted creativity.

As the exhibition unfolds at Villazan Gallery until November 16, 2023, it invites viewers to not only witness the beauty of Eagle’s visual language but to reflect on the profound journey of a multifaceted artist who has boldly embraced the freedom to create without constraints using a visual language unique to his prolific experiences. To commemorate his first solo exhibition, the artist has released a limited edition print which is available to purchase for $200 USD here.

Photography provided by Maceo Eagle exclusively for Hypeart.