Barry McGee's Secret Basement Show Champions Community Art
‘Cherry Picking’ does away with the sterile “white cube” format.
Barry McGee’s ethos shines through in Cherry Picking, a new underground exhibition hosted in the basement of The Hole’s Tribeca gallery. Running through January 14-30, the show brings together a vibrant mix of McGee’s paintings, sculptures, and an array of collected works contributed by friends and even strangers.
In a 2024 interview with KQED, McGee reflected on his love for group shows: “I like the way it looks when you have all that different visual energy in one room, sitting next to each other. It feels healing to have that much visual information in a room. It feels warm and inclusive.” This sentiment is central to Cherry Picking, where the unconventional setting mirrors McGee’s celebrated community-oriented approach.
The exhibition boldly rejects the sterile “white cube” format, embracing a dynamic, grassroots energy that fosters connection and creativity. Though its run is brief, Cherry Picking leaves a lasting impression, embodying McGee’s vision of art as both a collective and deeply personal experience.
The Hole Tribeca
86 Walker St.
New York, NY 10013
