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Traver Gallery
exhibitions
Cathy McClure

Cathy McClure

Wunderkammer

Sep 6 - Sep 27 | Opening Reception: Saturday, Sept 6, 3 - 5 PM

Traver Gallery is pleased to present Wunderkammer, a new exhibition of work by Seattle-based artist Cathy McClure. This upcoming exhibition, opening with a reception on Saturday, September 6, from 3–5 pm, brings together sculpture, painting, installation, and jewelry in a contemporary reinterpretation of the Wunderkammer, or cabinet of wonders.

Since 2003, McClure has dissected and reassembled mass-produced toys to expose their internal mechanisms, recasting them in precious metals. McClure describes her process as a kind of “Geppetto-like taxidermy,” unearthing value in the disregarded. Her curiosity-led approach, informed by a background in metalsmithing, is directly shaped by the profound loss of her childhood home to a tornado.

Her process, part excavation, part reconstruction, highlights cycles of consumption while revealing unexpected beauty in what was once disposable. With Wunderkammer, McClure invites viewers to enter a space where overlooked materials are transformed into specimens of significance, where narratives emerge from fragments, where the hidden histories of objects are unearthed and their imagined futures explored, where the transient becomes enduring.

Centering on a series of new bronze sculptures, constructed from meticulously cast mass-produced, battery-operated plush toys, she creates expressive, uncanny portraits that tell a story of reinvention, resilience, humor, and beauty. Her stoic bronze figures, with the weight of artifacts, stand in dialogue with a new installation of her “mutants” series – whimsical, kinetic, plastic sculptures reconfigured from the same salvaged source material–while works on paper document each figure’s metamorphosis with paint, charcoal, pastel, and water, capturing the tension between animate and inanimate. McClure’s titles in this body of work draw on mythology, literature, and art history, situating these figures within the broader cultural context and encouraging the viewer to reflect more deeply on the work.

Cathy McClure first gained recognition with Carnival of Life, a Zoetrope that combined theatrical elements, shadow play, and animation, earning her the Seattle Art Museum’s Betty Bowen Memorial Award the same year she completed her MFA. Since then, she has exhibited widely, including a solo presentation at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, and participated in residencies at Pilchuck Glass School, Les Frigos Paris, iolair, and the McColl Center for the Arts. McClure has completed major public commissions, most recently A Place in the Woods for the Seattle Convention Center Summit in 2023, where she also served as Artist Consultant from 2016 to 2024. Her work is held in significant collections, including the White House, the Pace Collection, and the CCS Bard Collection, with recent acquisitions by Public Art at SEA Airport. Additional solo exhibitions include the Milton Hershey Museum, Neuhoff/Edelman, Moss, and Art Basel Miami.

|
MY MOTHER  | 35157
MY MOTHER | 35157, 2025
bronze
9.5"h x 8" w x 7.25"d
pricing available upon request
THE HARBINGER | 35138
THE HARBINGER | 35138, 2025
bronze
16"h x 10.75" w x 6.5"d
pricing available upon request
THE MAGICIAN  | 35160
THE MAGICIAN | 35160, 2025
bronze, steel
15.25"h x 13.5" w x 6.5"d
pricing available upon request
THE OBSERVER  | 35161
THE OBSERVER | 35161, 2025
bronze
15.25"h x 12.25" w x 6"d
pricing available upon request
THE UNSEEN  | 35163
THE UNSEEN | 35163, 2025
bronze
5.75"h x 3.75" w x 3.5"d
pricing available upon request
CHIMERA  | 35139
CHIMERA | 35139, 2025
bronze
14.25"h x 12.5" w x 9.5"d
pricing available upon request
THE GIANTESS  | 35159
THE GIANTESS | 35159, 2025
bronze, steel
20.25"h x 13.75" w x 8.5"d
pricing available upon request
ARBOREAL ARCHITECT  | 35162
ARBOREAL ARCHITECT | 35162, 2025
bronze
18.25"h x 10.25" w x 6.5"d
pricing available upon request
THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY | 35158
THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY | 35158, 2025
bronze
14.5"h x 8.75" w x 6.25"d
pricing available upon request
BIG EYES FRONT | 35148
BIG EYES FRONT | 35148, 2023
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
28.25"h x 40.25"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
VASHON MUTANT BUNNIES  | 35147
VASHON MUTANT BUNNIES | 35147, 2021
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
26.5"h x 34.5"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
MR BEAR FRONT  | 35146
MR BEAR FRONT | 35146, 2021
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
40.25"h x 32"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
MR BEAR SITTING | 35145
MR BEAR SITTING | 35145, 2021
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
31"h x 24.75"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
JUDITH'S VICTORY IN THE THICKET  | 35144
JUDITH'S VICTORY IN THE THICKET | 35144, 2025
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
28.5"h x 24"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
A VISION OF THE CHIMERA IN THE TALL GRASS  | 35143
A VISION OF THE CHIMERA IN THE TALL GRASS | 35143, 2025
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
40"h x 30.5"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
THE BETROTHAL OF VIRGINS  | 35142
THE BETROTHAL OF VIRGINS | 35142, 2025
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
49.75"h x 40"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
ORACLE OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS  | 35141
ORACLE OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS | 35141, 2025
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
56"h x 40"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
THE HEAD OF A GOLEM | 35140
THE HEAD OF A GOLEM | 35140, 2024
acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
69.5"h x 60"w x 1"d
pricing available upon request
THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY PINK | 35150
THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY PINK | 35150, 2025
synthetic fibers, thread
36"h x 36"w x 36"d
THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY BROWN | 35149
THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY BROWN | 35149, 2025
synthetic fibers, thread
48"h x 48"w x 48"d
STATUETTE OF A MAN IN A CEREMONIAL CLOAK | 35164
STATUETTE OF A MAN IN A CEREMONIAL CLOAK | 35164, 2025
plastic, battery operated mechanism
12"h x 8.5"w x 3.75"d
IDOL OF AN UNKNOWN DEITY  | 35165
IDOL OF AN UNKNOWN DEITY | 35165, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
15.5"h x 11"w x 4.5"d
FIGURE OF A FEMALE DEITY  | 35166
FIGURE OF A FEMALE DEITY | 35166, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
15.75"h x 16"w x 7.25"d
FRAGMENT OF A WINGED FIGURE  | 35167
FRAGMENT OF A WINGED FIGURE | 35167, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
12"h x 7.25"w x 13"d
VESSEL FOR A SOUL | 35168
VESSEL FOR A SOUL | 35168, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
18"h x 9.5"w x 5.5"d
VOTIVE FIGURE OF A DEITY  | 35174
VOTIVE FIGURE OF A DEITY | 35174, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
14.25"h x 6.75"w x 5.75"d
FIGURE OF A STANDING CAT | 35173
FIGURE OF A STANDING CAT | 35173, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
11.5"h x 6"w x 6.5"d
STATUETTE OF A NUDE YOUTH  | 35172
STATUETTE OF A NUDE YOUTH | 35172, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
13"h x 12.5"w x 6"d
RITUAL OBJECT OF A LOST CHILD  | 35171
RITUAL OBJECT OF A LOST CHILD | 35171, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
9"h x 5.5"w x 5.25"d
VESSEL FOR A HELLHOUND  | 35170
VESSEL FOR A HELLHOUND | 35170, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
12.5"h x 8"w x 7.25"d
CONSTRUCT OF A SACRED MARSUPIAL  | 35169
CONSTRUCT OF A SACRED MARSUPIAL | 35169, 2025
plastic, batter operated mechanism
12.75"h x 6"w x 9.25"d
1/31
  • MY MOTHER | 35157, 2025
    bronze
    9.5"h x 8" w x 7.25"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE HARBINGER | 35138, 2025
    bronze
    16"h x 10.75" w x 6.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE MAGICIAN | 35160, 2025
    bronze, steel
    15.25"h x 13.5" w x 6.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE OBSERVER | 35161, 2025
    bronze
    15.25"h x 12.25" w x 6"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE UNSEEN | 35163, 2025
    bronze
    5.75"h x 3.75" w x 3.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • CHIMERA | 35139, 2025
    bronze
    14.25"h x 12.5" w x 9.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE GIANTESS | 35159, 2025
    bronze, steel
    20.25"h x 13.75" w x 8.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • ARBOREAL ARCHITECT | 35162, 2025
    bronze
    18.25"h x 10.25" w x 6.5"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY | 35158, 2025
    bronze
    14.5"h x 8.75" w x 6.25"d
    pricing available upon request
  • BIG EYES FRONT | 35148, 2023
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    28.25"h x 40.25"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • VASHON MUTANT BUNNIES | 35147, 2021
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    26.5"h x 34.5"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • MR BEAR FRONT | 35146, 2021
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    40.25"h x 32"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • MR BEAR SITTING | 35145, 2021
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    31"h x 24.75"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • JUDITH’S VICTORY IN THE THICKET | 35144, 2025
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    28.5"h x 24"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • A VISION OF THE CHIMERA IN THE TALL GRASS | 35143, 2025
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    40"h x 30.5"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE BETROTHAL OF VIRGINS | 35142, 2025
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    49.75"h x 40"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • ORACLE OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS | 35141, 2025
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    56"h x 40"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE HEAD OF A GOLEM | 35140, 2024
    acrylic, pastel, charcoal, graphite, arches aquarelle paper
    69.5"h x 60"w x 1"d
    pricing available upon request
  • THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY PINK | 35150, 2025
    synthetic fibers, thread
    36"h x 36"w x 36"d
  • THE ANATOMY LESSON IN MOSTLY BROWN | 35149, 2025
    synthetic fibers, thread
    48"h x 48"w x 48"d
  • STATUETTE OF A MAN IN A CEREMONIAL CLOAK | 35164, 2025
    plastic, battery operated mechanism
    12"h x 8.5"w x 3.75"d
  • IDOL OF AN UNKNOWN DEITY | 35165, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    15.5"h x 11"w x 4.5"d
  • FIGURE OF A FEMALE DEITY | 35166, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    15.75"h x 16"w x 7.25"d
  • FRAGMENT OF A WINGED FIGURE | 35167, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    12"h x 7.25"w x 13"d
  • VESSEL FOR A SOUL | 35168, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    18"h x 9.5"w x 5.5"d
  • VOTIVE FIGURE OF A DEITY | 35174, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    14.25"h x 6.75"w x 5.75"d
  • FIGURE OF A STANDING CAT | 35173, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    11.5"h x 6"w x 6.5"d
  • STATUETTE OF A NUDE YOUTH | 35172, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    13"h x 12.5"w x 6"d
  • RITUAL OBJECT OF A LOST CHILD | 35171, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    9"h x 5.5"w x 5.25"d
  • VESSEL FOR A HELLHOUND | 35170, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    12.5"h x 8"w x 7.25"d
  • CONSTRUCT OF A SACRED MARSUPIAL | 35169, 2025
    plastic, batter operated mechanism
    12.75"h x 6"w x 9.25"d
  • About
    Cathy McClure

  • view profile

Cathy McClure is an anti-disciplinarian, choosing to work with materials and techniques in radically unconventional ways. With a strong background in metal design and propelled by a boundless curiosity, she explores materials, spaces, and processes that push the boundaries of what art can be. McClure’s enthusiastic approach toward inventive methodologies raises questions about what is considered valuable.

Her sculptures and installations investigate the discrepancy between past perceptions of an imagined utopic techno-future and the future we now inhabit. Often using toys as metaphors, McClure’s works highlight our societal penchant for instant gratification, over-production, and habitually excessive consumption, while simultaneously drawing upon a collective nostalgia for a past we’ve enthusiastically discarded.

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