McGraw's generalized blurs of people and things seem more symbolic than real. Yet the symbolism often feels empty. Looking at Blake, he dwells on the symbolism of open windows, geese in flight and angels aloft. McGraw's fans contend that he uses playfulness and childlike charm to lure viewers deeper into the mature woods of human conflict and feeling. But the reading is often too general or trite to be of any relevance.
Good pictures open a window onto the page.
In one swooning look, they summarize the great drama and emotional sense of the story unfolding beside them in words. McGraw clearly isn't blind to this. Above all, they don't appear to suffer from the hyperventilation of trying to transcend or catch the coattails of proven greatness. They simply sit there on a page, quietly offering their own convincing versions of someone else's story. For more information, call 994-2787 or see the Visual Art listing in Thrills.