In De Lo Mío, artist Demarcus McGaughey presents a visual narrative that celebrates kinship, identity, and the connective tissue of shared humanity. Comprising over thirty mixed media portraits and figurative works, this exhibition draws from McGaughey’s extensive travels across cities, countries, and communities, where he encountered faces that mirrored the spirit of belonging—those who, in his words, are “de lo mío”, one of his own.
The phrase “De lo mío” originates from Dominican and Caribbean vernacular, a colloquial expression that transcends mere friendship to signify deep-rooted loyalty and familial love. It represents a sense of unity and kinship born not of blood, but of understanding and an acknowledgment of those who see and affirm us. McGaughey channels this sentiment through his portraits, which weave together acrylic paint and fabric collage to honor the individuality of each subject while simultaneously binding them into a larger collective story.
Across the gallery walls, faces emerge from layers of texture, color, and pattern. Some are joyful and defiant; others introspective or weathered by time. Each portrait embodies a unique rhythm of life, yet together they pulse with a shared heartbeat—a chorus of resilience, pride, and humanity. Through these works, McGaughey captures not just physical likenesses but the energy and vibration of lived experience. His brushstrokes and collaged materials act as fragments of memory, stitching together moments of encounter, reflection, and recognition.
De Lo Mío is as much about travel as it is about connection. While the works originate from McGaughey’s experiences living in New York, Spain, Dominican Republic and the South, they ultimately converge on the universality of the human face as a vessel of story.
McGaughey’s process of mixed media invites layers of meaning, suggesting how identity itself is constructed. This series, expands on his ongoing artistic mission: to celebrate the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black life. Yet, De Lo Mío also extends an invitation to everyone who encounters it—to recognize themselves and people they know within this mosaic of humanity. The exhibition asserts that belonging is not confined by borders or names; it is found in the gaze of another, in the warmth of recognition, in the invisible thread that connects us all.
De Lo Mío is a chapter in the life other the artist. The people, the culture, the memories, are an enduring spirit of connection. It is a visual testament to McGaughey’s belief that art can heal and unite, reminding us that even as we travel across the world, we are never truly alone. We are, always, de lo mío.
