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THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, FEbRuARy 27, 2021
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THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, FEB. 27, 2021 • B1
Exploring
the fourth
dimension
Astoria-based artist’s work delves into technology
By ALYSSA EVANS
The Astorian
A
few blocks north of downtown Asto-
ria, artist Paul McLean sits in his
home studio.
McLean is surrounded by dozens of paint-
ings. Each is abstract, textured and features
bright colors.
In front of McLean is a finished painting. In
the coming weeks, McLean will focus his atten-
tion on the canvas, ultimately creating a new
piece, as he paints over his previous work.
McLean started working as an artist in the
1980s. His work, which he calls “4D+ art,” has
been featured in some of the world’s largest art
hubs.
“What I’m doing all the time is trying to
extrapolate the world into four dimensions,”
McLean said.
McLean’s recent pieces delve into themes of
“network culture,” focusing on data and tech-
nology, and the different ways they’ve evolved
and impact humans.
“The internet provides all the tools that we’d
hope to have in order to expand everything
we’re looking at. It gives us a means of how to
do that … Everyone is overwhelmed because
we can see everything. I’m trying to make art
for this moment,” McLean said.
Here, there and everywhere
McLean was raised in West Virginia. He
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English
from the University of Notre Dame. As a fresh-
man, he started a clothing company, Funkshu-
nArt, which featured hand-painted clothes. The
company’s clothes were sold in boutique stores
in New York City, Detroit, Washington, D.C.,
and Chicago.
“I worked with impressive people, that’s
how I got my chops. I was very careful to keep
my learning curve. Everything I made was ter-
rible, like any other beginner,” McLean said.
McLean soon participated in art projects and
shows. After graduating, he moved to Santa Fe,
New Mexico. McLean opened his first gallery
in Beckley, West Virginia, followed by an artist
collective in Santa Fe.
In Santa Fe, he ran an art radio program,
VIEW PAUL MCLEAN’S ART ONLINE
instagram.com/valubl/
facebook.com/artforhumans
flickr.com/photos/artforhumans/
mysticnovad.com
artforhumans.com
goodfaithspace.com
4dpop.com
wrote for local magazines and created art for
individual and group shows. In 1995, McLean
traveled to Scotland, where he created an art
exhibit that was featured in the Isle of Skye and
Edinburgh.
See Artist, Page b5
Photos by Alyssa Evans/The Astorian
TOP: Paul McLean looks toward one of his paintings
inside his living room. MIDDLE: McLean shows the
texture of one of his paintings. BOTTOM: A few
of McLean’s paintings, art materials and sketches
decorate a mantel in his home.