8.4

LA FRONTERA

Richard McWhannell
Richard McWhannell
30.10.25–29.11.25
Season is delighted to present La frontera by Richard McWhannell. The show develops out of two visits made by the artist to the 'borderlands' that span Mexico in the south and New Mexico and Texas in the north.
During the first trip, made in 2017 in the company of his wife, Donogh, and daughter, Ruth, McWhannell met Roberto Salas, a fellow artist from El Paso, Texas, who became his guide for the second trip, made in 2019. The paintings in La frontera represent a poetic travelogue, documenting sights, evoking stories, and gesturing towards the manifold forces—geological, cultural, political, and economic—that have shaped the terrain. The exhibition runs from 30 October to 29 November 2025. There will be a celebration from 6 to 8pm on Thursday 6 November, one week into the show. All are welcome.

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Richardson Trading Post, Gallup, New Mexico, 2020
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 500mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Twisters (Burgers and Burritos), 2018
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 500mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Kin Kletso (Yellow House), Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, 2017
Oil on linen
450 x 600mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Plaza Blanca, Abiquiu, New Mexico, 2017
Oil on linen
350 x 450mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Picnic at Plaza Blanca, Abiquiu, New Mexico, 2017
Oil on linen
450 x 700mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Sketch for Evening View of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Mount Christo Rey, 2019
Watercolour on paper
290 x 820mm (image); 510 x 1030mm (frame)
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, 2017
Oil on linen
750 x 450mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Jesse and Jane’s, 2020
Oil on canvas on board
200 x 300mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Evening View of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Mount Christo Rey, 2019–21
Oil on linen
660 x 1680mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Morning View of Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Mount Christo Rey, 2019–21
Oil on linen
660 x 1680mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Mi Barrio Es Tu Barrio, 2020
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 500mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
And John Came Too, 2019–20
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 200mm

CATALOGUE
'Half in New Mexico and Mexico is the prominent Mount Christo Rey ('Christ the King'). This is a place of pilgrimage from all sides (Texas, New Mexico and Mexico). At its apex is a huge statue of Christ. 'The Wall' ascends part way up the western and eastern flanks but such is the significance of the place it remains a site where Mexican and US Catholics make the annual trek, and there is no barrier—who ascends may descend on the other side.'—Richard McWhannell
The catalogue for La frontera includes reminiscences by Richard McWhannell on his visits to Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Download PDF ↘
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Moonlit Campsite at Cottonwood, Castolon, Texas, 2019–20
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 400mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Rio Grande from Near Cottonwood Campsite, Castolon, Texas, Early Morning, 2019–20
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 500mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Anthony Quinn Plays Roberto Salas in Salas’ Biopic, 2019–25
Oil on canvas on board
400 x 300mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Javelina Wash from Old Maverick Road, 2019–21
Oil on linen
1100 x 1650mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Javelina Wash, Looking East to the Chisos Range, Big Bend, Texas (2nd version), 2021–23
Oil on linen
450 x 600mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Langtry, Texas, 2021
Oil on canvas on board
305 x 405mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Palacio Federal de Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, 2020
Oil on linen
400 x 550mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, 2019–20
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 400mm
RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Shafter, Presidio County, Texas, 2019–20
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 500mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
The Cemetery at Shafter (Ghost Town), Presidio County, Texas, 2020
Oil on canvas on board
300 x 400mm

RICHARD MCWHANNELL
Three Palms Inn and the Oasis Restaurant, Presidio, Texas (2nd version), 2021
Oil on canvas on board
400 x 500mm