Cheeks McGee is a Charlotte-based muralist and creative chameleon with deep roots in the streets.
Welcomed into a street artist collective at a young age, “Cheeks of the Streets" honed his skills in spray paint and large-scale painting while teaching himself 3D modeling and design, animation, and woodworking. Among the Charlotte artist community, Cheeks is well known for hopping onto large projects to assist, quickly adapting to the style, and working around the clock to meet deadlines.
His own artistic practice explores public engagement, dissent, and impermanence while playing with bold visual impact and scale. Drawing inspiration from subcultures like Kanjozoku street racing and skateboarding, Cheeks weaves a rebellious spirit into bold, character-driven narratives.
His animated characters are notable for their playful irony and social commentary. While his early work reflected a pursuit of happiness, his recent pieces have turned toward an exploration of misery, examining the choices that prevent self-fulfillment.
This transition was evident at 'Welcome to Earth,' a one-night-only group show at Camp North End that Cheeks co-produced at the beginning of December. Visitors encountered his nostalgic doodles on giant, crumpled notebook pages alongside larger-than-life figures that felt dominating yet farcical.
Cheeks is no stranger to transforming spaces based on a client's vision, but this year, he’s charting a path of his own. With a renewed focus on exploring and developing his signature characters, Cheeks is excited to share their stories. "Using them as a narrative language comes freely to me," he says. So, where might we see these characters making an appearance? "I love to see my art in lived-in spaces and feel like these characters can adapt to fit comfortably into most any location," he shares.
This mindset is driving his plans for a March trip to Tokyo, where he hopes to find fresh inspiration and connect with new opportunities for public art. Upon his return, Cheeks intends to channel this energy into a new body of work while forming partnerships that align with his artistic vision.
So yes, your friendly neighborhood chameleon can make exactly what you want, but the real magic happens when you let him do what he does best: be himself. Consider hiring Cheeks to bring his one-of-a-kind characters to life and transform your space!
By Alexandra Smith