Patsy McArthur, Shape Shifters, Charcoal Drawing, 2023

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Shape Shifters Charcoal on Fabriano paper 37 × 36 inches 94 × 92 cm Patsy McArthur’s Shape Shifters is a … Read more Shape Shifters Charcoal on Fabriano paper 37 × 36 inches 94 × 92 cm Patsy McArthur’s Shape Shifters is a powerful and dynamic charcoal drawing that captures the human figure at the edge of transformation and motion. Rendered with exquisite control of light and shadow, the work depicts two bodies moving across an undefined space — a woman in a patterned dress stepping forward with confident grace, and a male figure in the background caught mid-motion. The composition vibrates with energy, as if the figures are transitioning between states, slipping between balance and weightlessness. McArthur’s mastery of charcoal allows her to create depth, tension, and atmosphere through subtle gradations and bold contrasts. The woman’s sharply lit legs and rhythmic garment pattern anchor the composition, while the blurred male silhouette introduces softness and ambiguity. Negative space becomes as expressive as the bodies themselves, emphasizing movement, connection, and the fleeting nature of physical presence. Known for her exploration of the human form in motion, McArthur infuses Shape Shifters with both physical and emotional resonance. The drawing feels cinematic and contemporary, a moment suspended between dance, gesture, and instinct. Evocative and timeless, this striking large-scale work exemplifies the artist’s ability to elevate charcoal into something luminous and alive — a must-have for collectors of figurative art, expressive realism, and technically extraordinary drawing. This work of art is currently unframed. We are happy to coordinate framing for an extra cost. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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