Mrs. is pleased to present Before lunch, an exhibition of new pictorial ceramics by Blue Ridge Mountains–based artist Kevin McNamee-Tweed. The exhibition will be presented in two parts: the first from September 4 – October 4, and the second from October 7 – November 1.

Kevin McNamee-Tweed’s work delves into how meaning is constructed and stories are conveyed. Though often rooted in the traditions of image-making, painting, and drawing, his practice finds its fullest expression in clay. With an inventive hand and an unrestricted approach to source material, he weaves together influences spanning from the canon of art history to the familiar details of everyday life.

In Before lunch, McNamee-Tweed presents an array of wall-hanging ceramics that examine themes of self-mythology, the animacy of the natural world, and contemporary expressions of spirituality. Some pieces depict richly detailed interior spaces, where walls are adorned with drawings, notes, and grocery lists, and tables are scattered with books, tools, pots, and artworks. These interiors are simultaneously lived-in and symbolic, serving as intimate repositories for memory, creativity, and the quiet rituals of everyday life.

The artist’s “ceramic paintings” merge the clarity of two-dimensional imagery with the physical presence of sculpture. Rooted in exacting technique yet open to experimentation and chance, these works achieve surfaces, textures, and visual effects possible only through the chemistry and alchemy of the ceramic process. Their modest scale invites close, attentive viewing, fostering a sense of intimacy as the viewer engages with the hand-crafted details and narrative depth, often infused with pathos, humor, and profound curiosity about the world.

In his practice, McNamee-Tweed employs native clays and draws from the rich regional traditions of his North Carolina upbringing. By harmoniously combining time-honored techniques with idiosyncratic processes, he creates works that are as materially compelling as they are narratively layered, intimate in scale, and immersive in detail.