Drew Austin McConnell

Drew Austin McConnell is a New York City–based artist whose sculptural paintings explore color, material, and the lasting quality of physical objects. Born in rural Michigan, McConnell works mainly with concrete, applying it to wood panels while it is still wet. He moves between sculpting and painting, shaping the surface before adding layers of paint, ink, lacquer, oil stick, and natural pigments. His work is inspired by an appreciation for analog objects and the sense of permanence they carry. The finished pieces have a dry, earthy surface that changes with light and perspective. Bold shapes and shifts in texture create tension within each composition, bringing together the qualities of painting and sculpture. Alongside his art practice, McConnell serves as Creative Director for Barcelona Restaurant Group, where his work has also shaped the visual environments of Barcelona Wine Bar and Corsica restaurants across the United States.