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Michael Polakowski
Michael Polakowski
Painting
Michael Polakowski’s work draws inspiration from his life in the American Midwest. To date, his body of work juxtaposes the real and unreal to tell stories that are as absurd as they are familiar. Often, his work draws upon his sketchbook practice ...Read More
Showing all 7 results
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Mirage
$4,95048"H X 48"W X 2"D -
Clippings
$1,75030"H X 30"W X 2"D -
Mirage (on paper)
$5007"H X 10"W X 0"D -
Fruit
$75020"H X 20"W X 2"D -
City Scape Mural
$15,000 -
Cut the Tie
$75012"H X 12"W X 2"D -
Car Troubles
$4,95048"H X 48"W X 2"D
STATEMENT
Michael Polakowski’s work draws inspiration from his life in the American Midwest. To date, his body of work juxtaposes the real and unreal to tell stories that are as absurd as they are familiar. Often, his work draws upon his sketchbook practice – diligently observing and documenting his environment with surreal juxtapositions that insinuate “not everything is quite right here.” His work consists of graphic shapes, textures, bold color, and a refined library of deeply personal motifs. The results are vibrant paintings and murals that are equal parts narrative, decorative and conceptual.
BIO
Michael Polakowski was born in the Midwestern United States in 1994 and attended The College for Creative Studies where he received his BFA. Upon graduation, Polakowski established his studio practice in Detroit, Michigan as a part of the Fisher Creative Spaces Studio Residency. He has gone on to have duo and solo exhibitions in Detroit and has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Most recently, he participated in the Red Bull Artist residency (2019) and the Siren Artist Residency (2020) where he had the opportunity to refine his visual and conceptual style. His work is best described as a surrealist depiction of Middle America, an often overlooked and underrepresented narrative within American Art.
Polakowski is also an accomplished muralist, having recently completed his largest commission to date for The Detroit Institute of Arts. His works on canvas use the same visual language of his murals through the application of acrylic and airbrush. Each painting is full of lush detail, vibrant colors, and narrative imagery sourced from Polakowski’s life. Often, his work draws upon his sketchbook practice – diligently observing and documenting his environment with surreal juxtapositions which insinuate that “not everything is quite right here.”
Polakowski’s work has been featured in Juxtapoz, ArtMaze Magazine, and Archive 00.
EXHIBITIONS/SHOWS/COMMISSIONS
SHOWS
Playground Detroit Scope Art Fair Booth – Playground Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2022
Depth of Field Trio Exhibition – Playground Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2021
Heat Wave Solo Exhibition – 1xRun, Detroit, MI – 2020
How to Kill Your Houseplants Group Show (Curation) – KO Studio Gallery, Detroit, MI – 2021
Detroit Presents: Detroit Art Week – Future Fair, New York, NY – 2020
A Room with a View Solo Exhibition – 1xRun, Detroit, MI – 2020
20/20 Emerging Artists Group Exhibition – Playground Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2020
16th Annual Fundraising Gala – Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2019
Murals in the Market Print Exhibition – 1xRun, Detroit, MI – 2019
Fresh Squeezed Duo Exhibition – KO Studio Gallery, Detroit, MI – 2019
Boys Will Be Boys Group Show– Whitdel Arts, Detroit, MI – 2018
Walking Distance Solo Exhibition – Hidden Gate Gallery, Detroit, MI – 2018
ICON 10 Group Show – Red Bull Arts Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2018
The Printer’s Devil – The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI – 2016
COMMISSIONS
Public Commission for the Partner’s in Public Art – Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI –
2021
Private commission for Bedrock Real Estate – Library Street Collective, Detroit, MI – 2020
Public commission for DTE Energy and Beacon Park – Playground Detroit, Detroit, MI – 2019
- 2021
Public commission for Murals in the Market Festival – Murals in the Market, Detroit, MI –
2020 - 2021
Private commission for the Boulevard Project – The Platform, Detroit, MI – 2019
Public commission for Bright Walls Mural Festival – Bright Walls Jackson, MI – 2019
Private commission for the Milwaukee Junction Project – The Platform, Detroit, MI – 2018
EDUCATION
2016 BFA College for Creative Studies
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Instructor – College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI – 2020 - Present
Public Art Program Instructor – Detroit Pistons Community Project, Detroit, MI – 2020-2021
ARTIST'S TAGS
Surrealism, Detroit Painter, Murals, Muralist, Painter, Contemporary Painting, Midwestern Art, Midwest artist, Detroit artwork, Mural artist, Detroit artist, Contemporary Detroit Artist