John McGarity (United States)

Bio

John McGarity is a Brooklyn-based visual artist with a multifaceted practice that spans painting, video, installation, and artifact fabrication. Holding a BFA in Film/Video/Photography from UMBC in Baltimore and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute in New York, McGarity’s educational background lays a foundation for his exploration into the complexities of identity politics, social power structures, and spiritual revelations. Recently, his solo exhibitions have included shows at the Munro Gallery in New York and Gallery Blue Door in Baltimore, and he has participated in group exhibitions at Rochester Contemporary Art Center and Governor’s Island, NYC. McGarity has also held residencies at I-Park in Connecticut and Union AiR in Norway, where he deepened his engagement with cultural memory and collective narrative.

Project

Transfiguration III continues John McGarity’s multimedia series exploring themes of transformation, cultural legacy, and identity through immersive installations. This iteration builds upon earlier works, Thieves of the Sinterlands and Sowing Embers, which reinterpreted folklore and historical narratives to spark dialogue on resilience and belonging. During his residency at the Narva Art Residency, McGarity will develop a site-specific installation inspired by the cultural and geographical context of Narva, incorporating tactile sculptural forms, painted panels, video projections, and sound. This multimedia approach aims to create a dynamic, sensory-rich environment that reflects the interplay between universal themes and Narva’s unique cultural identity.

The industrial legacy of the Kreenholm factory, along with the community’s stories of resilience and transformation, will inform the work’s development. By engaging with the local community through artist talks, open studio sessions, and workshops, McGarity plans to incorporate their lived experiences and materials into the installation. The resulting piece will invite audiences to step into a reimagined narrative landscape, bridging the past and present while fostering dialogue on themes of transience and connection. This residency will expand the scope of the Transfiguration series while deepening McGarity’s engagement with artistic communities, contributing meaningfully to Narva’s vibrant cultural dialogue.