In the world of contemporary art, few projects capture the essence of travel and fleeting moments as charmingly as Michael McGregor's "Room Service" series. This unique collection, spanning from 2016 to 2023, transforms the mundane into the magical, offering a vibrant and playful perspective on luxury, leisure, and the joy of exploration.
The Art of Capturing Moments
Michael McGregor (@themcgregor), a Los Angeles-based artist, has a knack for turning everyday experiences into captivating works of art. His "Room Service" series is a testament to this, featuring over 100 snapshot drawings created on hotel stationery from various stays around the world. These drawings are visual diaries that capture the essence of McGregor's travels.
A Playful Medium
The choice of hotel stationery as a medium adds a nostalgic charm to the series. It evokes the bygone era of handwritten postcards and personal notes, infusing each piece with a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The vibrant, gestural strokes of McGregor’s colored pencils bring to life scenes such as a mustard-topped Dodger dog at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a poolside palm tree at Hotel Byblos in St. Tropez, and even the simple elegance of a red Saab 900 Turbo (Guest of a Guest).
The Release and Reception
The series was celebrated with a book launch at The Georgian Hotel in Los Angeles, underscoring its connection to luxury and travel. The launch featured a selection of drawings from the book, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in McGregor's vibrant world. The book (which we are now selling here at Olio), published by Paragon Books and showcased at Hashimoto Contemporary, includes 118 drawings and is accompanied by black-and-white photos of McGregor in action, as well as a postface essay by Danish sociologist Nikolaj Schultz.
Conclusion
Michael McGregor's "Room Service" series is a delightful journey through the small, fleeting moments of travel. It captures the beauty and spontaneity of exploration, transforming everyday objects and scenes into colorful, evocative memories. For those who love travel and appreciate the art of capturing life's ephemeral moments, "Room Service" is a must-see collection.