Items Similar to Contemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Open Late" Painting
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Katherine McMahonContemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Open Late" Painting2025
2025
$4,000
£3,046.37
€3,506.78
CA$5,732.32
A$6,271.93
CHF 3,236.30
MX$75,105.65
NOK 41,086.32
SEK 38,493.92
DKK 26,188.38
About the Item
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisciplinary artist and photographer based in London. She was previously based in New York City and is the former Creative Director at ARTnews magazine. Her work has appeared at Guild Hall Museum (East Hampton, NY), Peter Mendenhall Gallery (Pasadena, CA) and SITE:Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY). In early 2018, she participated in a solo residency at the Elaine de Kooning House in East Hampton, NY. In 2020, she mounted 'The Roast Beef is the Story,' a presentation of paintings that thematically explored the American diner in the windows of the abandoned Silver Lining Diner in New York. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, ARTNET and TimeOut New York.
Artist Statement:
In this new suite of paintings, McMahon uses the neon sign as subject matter for broadly exploring the lifecycle of
objects that function in visual culture as signifiers of wants, needs and desires–examining how their shift from ubiquity
to novelty and nostalgia reflects changes in society at large.
In their original use, the neon sign emitted hedonistic undertones in outdoor advertising to promote everything from
food to gambling to sex–activating the brain’s orienting reflex and encouraging action through color psychology,
motion and light. Aside from their literal messaging, their hum and glow contributed to the look and feel of urban
landscapes in the 20th century. They were once much more than signage—they were seductive, sensorial triggers.
These paintings celebrate neon’s golden age while taking a wider lens to the way culture facilitates the transition of
mainstream objects to cultural artifacts in the 21st century. Furthermore, this series explores the literal messaging of
neon signs, framing words and phrases as a historical record that reflects shifting priorities in consumerism and
culture from the past to the present.
‘Open Late’ explores the inverted symbology and psychological effect of presenting the sentimental, sculptural neon
sign object via the two-dimensional, flattened medium of painting. Drawing inspiration from Mark Fisher’s concept of
hauntology—the idea that the present is haunted by lost futures—McMahon considers the complexity of the neon
sign’s contemporary identity as a material casualty of the 20th century.
- Creator:
- Creation Year:2025
- Dimensions:Height: 23.63 in (60 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU139217084832
Katherine McMahon
Katherine McMahon is a painter, portrait photographer, and the Creative Director at ARTnews magazine. She recently completed an artist residency at the Elaine de Kooning house in East Hampton, New York. McMahon studied Fine Arts at Towson University and F.I.T. in New York City and currently lives and works between Brooklyn and East Hampton, New York.
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1970
1stDibs seller since 2015
3,094 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllContemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "This Is It" Painting
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Girls Girls Girls"
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "24 Hour Internet Access"
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Hot Wings" Painting
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Girls Girls Girls"
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Contemporary Modernist Neon Sign Trompe L'Oeil Still Life "Pizza Slice" Painting
By Katherine McMahon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important contemporary modernist painting by Katherine McMahon. From a series of neon sign still lives. Acrylic on canvas.
Artist Bio:
Katherine McMahon is an American multidisc...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
You May Also Like
Contemporary watercolor photorealist colorful neon sign retro text signed
By Bruce McCombs
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Stardust Dine-o-Mat" is an original watercolor painting by Bruce McCombs. The artist signed the piece lower center. This piece depicts a photorealist rendition of a bright and color...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
OPEN LATE Neon Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great vintage neon sign, likely custom made for a restaurant. Hand made glass mounted to a black metal shadow box. Sign reads: OPEN in bright white neon lettering. Directly underneat...
Category
1990s American Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Contemporary watercolor photorealist landscape colorful neon sign text signed
By Bruce McCombs
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Drive Thru Open" is an original watercolor painting by Bruce McCombs. The artist signed the piece lower right. This piece features a photorealist depiction...
Category
2010s Photorealist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Contemporary watercolor photorealist colorful neon sign urban city text signed
By Bruce McCombs
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Central Cafe, N.Y.C." is a photorealist watercolor painting by Bruce McCombs. The artist signed the piece lower right. This piece features a reflection of a neon sign with some silh...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
contemporary realist watercolor painting window neon signs reflections signed
By Bruce McCombs
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Shoe Repair Window" is an original signed watercolor by Bruce McCombs. It depicts the front of a shop and the reflection of the neon sign. This painting d...
Category
Early 2000s Photorealist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Live colorfully - neon art, noen sign
By Mary Jo McGonagle
Located in New York, NY
This neon piece is hand blown glass. It is mounted on contoured, clear plexiglas with pre drilled holes for hanging, and comes ready to hang.
This piece is offered in the following c...
Category
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Materials
Plexiglass, Neon Light
