Foundations 2026 by Artsy: Online

LaiSun Keane is pleased to present a selection of paintings by Campbell Lynn McLean that explore themes of community, togetherness, and belonging through a deeply personal approach to figurative painting. Working entirely from memory, McLean draws from both imagined scenes and lived experiences, including backyard gatherings, shared meals, and moments spent with friends and family.

Her distinctive visual language is shaped in part by her color blindness, resulting in rich, dark palettes that lend her paintings a striking emotional atmosphere. Echoes of Max Beckmann and John Brack appear alongside elements of cartoon and caricature, yet the work remains unmistakably her own. Figures are rendered with contorted bodies, elongated limbs, and exaggerated expressions that verge on the grotesque, inviting questions about body image, perception, and the many ways we inhabit our bodies.

At the heart of these paintings is an affectionate portrait of McLean's closest circle, including her life partner and longtime friends. Through unconventional forms and familiar moments, she reflects on intimacy, care, and the relationships that shape a sense of belonging.

A rising voice in Boston's contemporary art community, McLean received her BFA from MassArt and is currently pursuing her MFA at Boston University.