Statement
My paintings deal with sight, literally and as a metaphor for knowing. Sight, mediated by the biological limitations of our anatomy, is incomplete, meaning we rely on abstractions to make sense of material and immaterial reality. My work generates abstractions, reorganizing the perceivable to understand the whole from the parts.
My background in Physics and Biology informs my attention to visualization and the rendering of the speculative. This spring, I presented a body of work exploring the Kantian manifold—the raw, unorganized data of sensory experience prior to its synthesis by reason. In Kant’s framework, the manifold represents perception in its fragmented state: a field of unstructured stimuli. I see this philosophical model as analogous to scientific inquiry, where discrete observations are assembled into systems of understanding.
My current work extends this inquiry. Through diagramming, mapping, and a parralle lwriting practice, I explore how the manifold becomes perception, how the discrete becomes whole. I’m especially focused on the unit as a conceptual and visual motif—employing repeat patterns to test the boundaries of perception and aggregation.
Bio
Macy West is a Philly-based painter and art educator making work exploring artistic and scientific visualization. In 2021 Macy completed her BFA in Studio Arts from Louisiana State University where she had also concentrated in Biological Sciences with special attention to the intersection of art and science for visual communication. From 2021-2023, Macy taught high school art and physics at a private school in Covington, Louisiana, an experience which embedded the desire for communication and learning to forever be closely tied to her artistic practice. Macy received her MFA Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, PA in May 2025. She manages a small print and design shop, the Graphics Media Center serving the North Philadelphia and Tyler Community.
Education
2025 MFA Painting, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 2025
2021 BFA with Honors Distinction and Summa Cum Laude, Painting and Drawing,
Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, May 2021
Professional and Teaching Experience
2023-Present Graphics Media Center Manager and Designer, Philadelphia, PA (The Graphics Media
Center is a team of five designers which handles print and design work for the
Temple University and North Philadelphia community. My role is split to include
clerical, managerial and design work. I handle grant management for one of Temple
University’s student organization programs.)
2021-2023 High School Art Teacher and High School Physics Teacher, Northlake Christian
School, Covington, LA (courses: Art I, II, III, AP Art and Physics).
2022-2023 Community Art Instructor, Saint Tammany Art Association, Covington, LA (courses:
Beginning Oil Painting, Elementary School Art Camp, High School Art Camp)
2022 High School Cross Country Coach, Northlake Christian School, Covington, LA
2021 Teaching Assistant, Louisiana State University, College of Art and Design, Baton
Rouge, LA (courses taught: Introduction to Painting [Kelli Scott Kelley], Spring 2021)
2020 Private Art Instructor, Painting and Drawing Classes, Mandeville, LA
One and Two Person Exhibitions
2025 Manifold, Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia, PA, February-March 2025
2021 Wrestling in Color, Frameworks Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA (with painter, MaryJane
Lukachick), April-May 2021
Group Exhibitions
2025 Interlace, 82Parris Gallery, Portland, Maine, May 2-23
2025 To see to view, Curated by Anthony Elms, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia PA, May 8-18,
2025 States of Change, Curated by Libby RosaSpruce Street Harbor Park, Philadelphia PA
2025 CFEVA Exhibition at McKinsey and Company, Philadelphia, PA
2024 Fuzzy Forms, Stella Elkins Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2024 Echo-Systems, Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia PA, May 2024
2021-2023 Winter Artists Collection, Far Horizons Gallery, Folsom, LA
2021 BFA Student Thesis Show, LSU Union Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA, April-May 2021
2020- 2024 Featured Artist, Daisy Dukes Restaurant, Mandeville, LA
Service
2024 Graduate Arts Collective (GAC), Officer, Tyler School of Art and Architecture
2021 Painter’s League, President, Louisiana State University