BOONTON — The Compton Gallery at 904 Main Street in Boonton will host an exhibition titled “Poignant Moments,” showcasing the paintings and sculptures of artist Michael McFadden. The show runs from Sunday, October 27, through Sunday, December 1.
Visitors to the gallery can expect a vibrant display of color-rich paintings, whimsical sculptures, and watercolor collages that embody McFadden’s distinctive style of figurative abstraction. According to organizer Doris Ettlinger, McFadden’s work brings together vivid, abstract forms with deeply personal themes.
McFadden draws inspiration from both significant memories and the picturesque landscape surrounding his home, a nineteenth-century grist mill on the banks of the Musconetcong River. From his studio, he captures not the literal view, but rather an emotional essence, using expressive brushstrokes on rice paper to create shapes that he arranges into images. His works on canvas or linen are painted with a richly colored, acrylic-like medium, bringing depth and texture to his compositions.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, McFadden has a background in teaching; he spent sixteen years instructing students in technology, design, and art at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Clinton Township. He currently resides in Hampton Borough, Hunterdon County.