Marilyn Mahoney makes work rooted in the traditions of abstract expressionism that engages with her long term interest in architectural structure as conveyed by precise drawing.

Mahoney’s work strives to create a visual that dips its toe in the area between abstraction and the perceived real world. This back and forth juxtaposition, gains meaning from architectural elements funneled through a process of drawing rigor that alternately clarifies or induces complexity. This deconstruction/reconstruction allows Mahoney to enter a visual conversation that ads emotional intensity and deepens the mood of a work while allowing for a visual/spiritual place for her to exist as an artist.   

Recent work has moved further from drawing directly on paper; to painting, drawing, and cutting of Mylar sections that allows a rhythmic dynamic process and gives greater compositional flexibility. This manipulation is an additive process rather than a reductive one and more closely resembles the design process of making buildings and machine prototypes. At completion these elements, now considered assemblies, are heat bonded together and mounted to a paper surface.

Marilyn Mahoney has received support for attending Artist Inc. Kansas City in 2010, modeled after the Creative Capitol Professional Development Program. In 2012 Mahoney received an Avenue of the Arts Award and Grant. In 2013 Mahoney received a commission from the Kansas City Chiefs permanent collection. Missouri Visual Artists Biennial Traveling Exhibition and Grant 1993-94. Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant for Painting 1981.

Mahoney’s work was featured in “Cinematic” a solo exhibition at Thornhill Gallery, Avila University and in “Spaceframes” group exhibition at Epsten Gallery, Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art in 2012.  Also in 2012 a Group Exhibition at Gfinearts, Washington D.C. 

Mahoney’s work is found in the collections of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Nerman Museum, Hallmark Cards, Land Real Estate, American Century Investors, John Blackburn & Assoc. Architects, Shook Hardy & Bacon, and in many private collections.

Marilyn Mahoney is a native Kansas City artist that lived for many years on the East and West Coast returning to Kansas City in 1991.