Barry McGee, a key figure of the Mission School, presents his solo exhibition 'I'm Listening' at Perrotin in Paris, running through May 24. The show features sculptures, paintings, prints, and assemblages that draw from West Coast subcultures like skating and graffiti, incorporating grimacing cartoon faces, optical patterns on surfboards, and repurposed everyday objects. McGee describes the work as addressing global distress while celebrating human resilience and positivity.
The exhibition matters because it reaffirms McGee's enduring influence on contemporary art that merges street culture, folk aesthetics, and social activism. By showcasing his multidisciplinary practice in a major Parisian gallery, the show highlights the continued relevance of the Mission School's ethos and the power of art to confront societal issues with both critique and optimism.