Mark Mulhern

Paintings

Works on Paper

Monotypes

Previously Exhibited Paintings

Mark Mulhern

A leading artist in contemporary figurative art, Mark Mulhern captures the pleasure of seeing while remaining unseen, inviting viewers into the role of quiet observer. Depicting figures in moments of arrested movement, he creates scenes that hold brief exchanges in anticipation. He thoughtfully positions the figures to capture subtle gestures and fleeting moments, fostering a relationship with the viewer.

Inspired by his frequent travels to France, Mulhern often depicts figures in French cafés, flea markets and festive gatherings. While the human figure is central to his work, Mulhern prioritizes anonymity over individual identity, instead exploring the moments of human gatherings. His compositions often include more figures than traditional figurative scenes, yet allows each figure the space to exist within the work. Freed from precise detail, his semi-abstract style showcases his use of color, form, space, and light while conveying a refined narrative.

Born in 1951, Mulhern earned his BFA from the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and his MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and continued his studies in Paris with renowned printmaker S.W. Hayter. He now lives and works in Wisconsin.

Selected Public Collections

Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI; Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI; The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend,WI; Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI; Marshall Erdman & Associates, Madison, WI; McDonald’s Corporation, Oakbrook, IL; Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation, Milwaukee, WI; Quarles & Brady, LLP, Milwaukee, WI; Quad Graphics, Milwaukee, WI; UW Hospital & Clinics, Madison, WI

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