Ryan Mcginley has a new show, technically two shows, at Team Gallery right now. The one I’m writing interested in is called Animals, and features a unique combination of animals with the human form.

Animals consists of McGinley’s color portraits of live animals with nude models. The exhibition is his first made up exclusively of selections from this growing, and ambitious, body of work. The artist visited various sanctuaries, zoos, and rescue establishments across the United States, erecting a mobile studio wherever possible and working with a number of pre-eminent animal trainers. The animals are not mere props in photographs of people; on the contrary, McGinley considers them the subjects of these images. There exists both tension and tenderness between the models and wild animals, as they claw, clutch, nibble, and hug one another.

I really wish I could see this show in person. It’s great to see his work heading into a more abstract nature, concentrating on purely the human, or animal, form. His naked people in places are still probably my favorite part of his work, but I’m always supportive of an artist doing good work, even if it’s in a new direction. The show runs May 2nd – June 2nd 2012, so if you’re in New York during that time be sure to check it out.

He’s also got his other show going on called Grids at the 47 Wooster Team Gallery location as well, for those interested.