Jason McLean
“[Around 2002] I began to draw on a larger scale…My drawings became much looser, more meandering. Often, I wouldn’t notice what was happening in the drawings until other people started pointing things out, such as their strands of narrative, diary-like qualities and mapping. But these things aren’t overt; the drawings are a bit like puzzles.”
Jason McLean’s practice covers a range of media from drawing, to sculpture to collage. It also includes collaborative work, participation the underground ‘zine scene, and mail art projects.
McLean graduated from the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1997.
Using pencils, felt markers, acrylics and pastels McLean records his daily experiences, observations and personal stories. Working on a range of surfaces from paper, and papier maché to found objects such as baseball gloves, and shoes his drawings are often described as mental maps. Rubber Game for the Working Class, 2010, is one of McLean’s largest drawings to date. The piece began as a walking tour of the path he and his son would take from school each day. Also included in the drawing are references to mental health issues, sports trivia and Canadian art history.
Some of McLean’s artistic influences include the automatic drawings of the Surrealists, the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and the drawings of Raymond Pettibon.
The artist currently lives and works in London, Ontario where he curates the HUGH display case at the Landon Public Library. There he features a revolving exhibition of posters, art books and ephemera from his personal collection.
In 2004 McLean was chosen by MacLean’s Magazine as one of the top 10 artists to watch in Canada.