TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES
“Meet Charmaine McMahon, a contemporary artist of Irish-South African descent based in Zurich, Switzerland. Her canvases are more than mere brushstrokes – they’re portals to untamed beauty. With Swiss precision and soulful edges, Charmaine’s art transcends borders, uniting cultures through emotion-laden portraits and figurative form. Each stroke captures the essence of our shared human experience, inviting contemplation and connection.”
From early recognition by the SA Wool Board in a national advertising campaign to her graduation in Fine Art and Graphic Design, her dedication paved the way for a multifaceted career. She gained valuable experience at an international package and design company, specialising in Graphic Design and Printing. Her expertise expanded into advertising, retail, and freelance collaboration with lifestyle and publishing companies, broadening her artistic horizons.
In 2018, Charmaine McMahon honed her artistic voice during a six-month study arts program at Metàfora’s International Training Program in Barcelona, Spain. Here, she developed her artistic discourse, style, and language, finding her unique voice and infusing it into her latest creations.
Since then, Charmaine’s work has graced several exhibitions, galleries, and private events in Zurich, Barcelona and beyond. She has also been published in several high-quality publications locally and internationally.
Throughout her artistic evolution, Charmaine has maintained a consistent thread: an innate fascination with portraiture, the human condition, perception, identity, and narrative.
Initially, McMahon painted with acrylics, oils, and ink on modestly sized canvases. However, she felt compelled to escape the confining, meticulous, and disciplined style, likely ingrained in her graphic design and illustration background. She sought liberation and transitioned to larger canvases, infusing her artwork with striking elements. Her unique approach now harmonises detail with abstraction, encapsulating profound emotions. Every brushstroke embodies the spirit and essence of its subject, inviting viewers to delve into the concealed depths of their inner landscapes, contemplate the hidden realms of their personal inner worlds, reflect on the core of humanity and pose the question, “What does it mean to be human?”
Charmaine Mc Mahon's art transcends borders, uniting cultures through emotion-laden portraits and figurative forms. As her brushstrokes harmonise detail with abstraction, they capture profound emotions—the hidden realms of our inner worlds. Charmaine leaves an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene, reminding us that art knows no boundaries.