Christopher McVicar-Art Proposal

McVicar FinalPresentation.pptx - Google Slides

 Memoirs of a Doormat

    This project is a 36 x 36-inch painting that uses spray paint, stencils, and acrylic paint to build a visual critique of the American Dream, but specifically how it rewards conformity over individuality. 

    The painting will show a repeated pattern of dogs in the background, with a central image of a Labrador retriever tied to a fire hydrant. The hydrant will be oversized, bigger than the dog itself, and the leash will be pulled tight. There’s no slack. That tension is important. 

    The dog isn’t aggressive or trying to escape, yet it’s experiencing burnout. Still standing but clearly worn down and restless. I’m not trying to show obedience as something peaceful or fulfilling. I’m showing the kind of exhaustion that comes from constantly performing “good behavior” and meeting expectations that never really let up. 

    I chose a Labrador specifically because it represents a very particular version of the American Dream. It’s the kind of dog you associate with suburban life, stability, and having your life “together.” It’s obedient and widely accepted. In a lot of ways, it’s ideal. But in this painting, that ideal is tied down, controlled, and in desperate need of a bone to pick.  

    The materials matter, too. I’m using spray paint as a way to push against traditional “high art” expectations and the elitism that comes with the fine art world. It’s a medium tied to accessibility, and resistance.

    Alongside the painting, I plan to organize a group show installed on fences along the Hudson Bergen Light Rail line through Bayonne and Jersey City. Instead of a gallery, the work will exist in public, where people actually are. Artists will hang their pieces directly onto the fences using wire. 

    The only requirement for the show is that all artwork includes imagery of domestic animals. This creates a shared visual language while still leaving room for interpretation. More importantly, it keeps the show open and accessible. 

    The goal is simple: give every day, working-class people access to art without asking them to step into spaces that often feel exclusive or unwelcoming. At the same time, the show continues with the same critique as the painting; questioning systems that reward assimilation and make it feel like success. 

Budget: 

• Spray paint (3 cans): $25  

• Materials (stencils, acrylic paint): $35  

• 25 ft. of 16-gauge wire: $5  

• Digital marketing and promotion: $35  

Total: $100