"Michael's genius is the particular way he transforms an object we know into something completely different, another reality that is still recognisable," said acclaimed artist Andrew Verster, National Arts Festival committee member for Visual Art. "At times subtle, at others radical, the new objects are so hypnotic, so plausible, so clever, so tantalising that we can never look at any of his sources in the same way again. We are torn between what we know to be fact and what he offers as an alternative."

MacGarry holds a Masters Degree in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand, and began his graphic design career in 2000 with Sexton Design & Media in Dublin, Ireland before moving to London in 2002 to join Brockway Associates as a graphic designer. In 2003 he returned to South Africa, and joined The Trinity Session as manager of The Premises Gallery. In 2006 he joined Fever Identity Design in Johannesburg as a graphic designer, where he is currently based.

"This unique award represents a substantial vote of confidence and a show of institutional support in my career. As a young artist one cannot ask for better," said MacGarry.

MacGarry is a member of the Johannesburg-based visual art collective AVANT CAR GUARD, who have shown at a national and international level for several years. In partnership with Zander Blom, Michael is also a member of visual arts collaborative Blom & MacGarry Presents.

source: arttimes