Artwork of the Week: June 8
June brings with it the dawn of summer and the ripening of berries. In Berries, McRay “Mac” Magleby offers a tranquil image of stacked branches adorned with small fruits. The organic shapes of the branches contrast with the carefully ordered composition, which subtly echoes the rectangular frame of the print itself. The off-white background, deep blue-green leaves, and rich reds and purples of the berries create a calming effect that rewards close looking. The subtle tones and careful composition of Berries exemplify the thoughtful craftsmanship found throughout his impressive body of work.
Magleby has had a longstanding relationship with BYU, beginning with his appointment as director of the Graphic Communications Department in 1969. In 2023, the BYU Museum of Art featured Wit and Vision, a collaborative exhibition of prints by Magleby and Norm Darius made in the 1980s and 90s to encourage University students to register for classes. The posters from the project proved so popular that students regularly removed them from campus walls as collectors’ items. Best known for his printmaking, Magleby has created a wide range of striking designs.
