INTERCONNDECTEDNESS
“My relationship with craft had always been rooted in process first, content second. Over time, my thinking shifted as they became one in the same. Where pieces used to begin directly with my hands, tools and materials, they now evolve on paper and in my thoughts. How long they exist there, a persistent challenge, often requires a leap of faith in order to decide when the idea begins its physical manifestation. Only once I begin working do I begin to understand the true potential of a piece. Problems arise, solutions develop and new ideas emerge... all interconnected.
Despite modern attempts toward interconnectivity through technology, our world and culture continues to fragment. Today's mass-produced fast paced world disposes of itself before it has a chance to stabilize. In reaction, I am driven to reconnect people through a universal collective subconscious by creating work inspired by iconic forms of ancient times and beacons to the future. Often representative of archaic, modern or imagined ceremony, my work is inspired by rituals, ceremonies, their commemorative objects and the civilizations that produced them. These themes are reinforced by my insatiable interest in the magic and mystery of early ceremony, ritual and myth. Ritual signifies something more- something sacred- a transcendental exchange of energy between human, nature and spirit. Through the centuries ceremonies have evolved, and in the disposable world of today, society often overlooks the meaning behind its own rituals. As a whole we have lost the daily ability to see the divine. Our one-track minds cloud our perception of alternative realities meanwhile destroying our imaginations, dreams and visions. We no longer relate to our neighbors, nor do we understand the idea of community. My intent is to reintroduce ritual through art and action to resurrect the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. My hope is that by redirecting our thinking, we might redefine our sense of culture. “
With memories as far back as he can remember, Michael has been an artist. He attributes his love of materials and passion for working with his hands to family traits and skills passed down from his mother and father, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Michael graduated with his Bachelor of Studio Art from Webster University in 1997 and his Master of Fine Art from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2007. Michael was the metals artist in residence at Craft Alliance in Saint Louis’ Grand Center Arts District from 2009 to 2010. Simultaneously, he was creating his own live/work space in the heart of downtown St. Louis and opened a freelance studio in the spring of 2010.
Michael is a practicing independant professional artist. He teaches metalsmithing, jewelry design, textiles and glass at local institutions, colleges and universities as well as his personal studio downtown. He is an active member in the St. Louis art community, the Society of Midwest Metalsmiths and has presented at the Society of North American Goldsmiths. He has also works remotely as an independant contractor, project manager and volunteer coordinator art fairs and festivals nationally and internationally. In December of 2016, Michael accepted the positions of Director of Community Programs and Director of Operations over the Grand Center location of Craft Alliance Center of Art+Design. Since then he has been integral in providing access and opportunity to thousands of individuals, families, schools and social organizations around the Greater Saint Louis Metropolitan Area.