Michael Walsh is an American sculptor born in 1974 in Pittsburgh, PA. He has lived throughout North America and presently lives and works in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a catalyst, igniting a continual discourse on the history of metal sculpture and modern industrial and digital processes. As a pioneer of the graffiti sculpture movement, he has worked diligently over the past two decades to develop both his work and the movement’s forward trajectory. His work has been exhibited and published both nationally and internationally, selected examples include: The International Sculpture Conference 2016, Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh PA ); National Archaeological Museum (Florence IT), Burning Man (Black Rock City NV); and Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto ON). His work is both part of private collections and on permanent public display. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, MakeZine, The Toronto Star, Graffiti World (Nicholas Ganz), and in The History of American Graffiti (Gastman/Neelon).
STATEMENT FROM THE ARTIST
My practice is centered around the forward progression of my aesthetic. I am on the artists’ journey of discovery, the forever student. My self study of art history, architecture, and design merge with my roots in graffiti art to create a unique visual language that can traverse from medium to medium. My vocabulary is contour, form, process, innovation, and dynamic movement. Through a stream of conscious and unconscious decisions my inner dialogue renders finished works. My process of channeling music is intrinsic to all of my work; it acts as a catalyst connecting emotions and rhythms, transforming them into form and composition. By engaging in both tactile and digital mediums it is my goal to make the art of my time.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2017
- Upcoming Opportunity Aqua Art Fair
Represented by: The Mine Factory | December - Legends Thursday Group Exhibition
Legacy Glass Works, Minneapolis MN | June - Pittsburgh International Airport
Through the Office of Public Art Pittsburgh | April – July - World’s Fair Nano
San Francisco CA | January
2016
- The International Sculpture Conference
Carrie Furnace National Historic Site | October - Keeping It Green Curated By: Jessica Beck
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania | October - Associated Artists Of Pittsburgh Juried Group Exhibition
The Carnegie Museum Of Art | May 2016 – August 2016 - Three Rivers Art Festival Juried Exhibition | May
- Maker Faire Bay Area | May
- Teapots Invitational Group Exhibition
Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery, Pittsburgh PA | April - Intersection-Dissection-Connection, Solo Exhibition
Box Heart, Pittsburgh PA | March
2015
- The Cosmic Carousel
M0Xie, Oakland CA - Interactive Monument Scale Kinetic Sculpture On Exhibition Through 2016
- The Transposed Tactile
William Patterson University, Wayne NJ - Group Exhibition Featuring Robotic Carved Sculptures
From The Digital Stone Project, Italy
Selected Feature Artists: Helena Lukasova, Michael Rees, Mary Neubaer, And Xinggang Wang
2014
- Rock Stars
The National Archaeological Museum | Florence, Italy
Selected feature artists: Lauren Ewing, Mary Neubauer, Helena Lukasova, Robert Michael Smith, Jon Isherwood, Michael Rees, Xinggang Wang - Sculpture, A Group Show
Richmond Arts Center, Richmond CA - Digital Stone Project Group Exhibition
MUSA, Pietrasanta, Italy
Selected feature artists: Lauren Ewing, Mary Neubauer, Helena Lukasova, Robert Michael Smith, Jon Isherwood, Michael Rees, Xinggang Wang - Emerge Art Fair, Washington DC
Represented by KiloWatt Gallery, Newark NJ
2013
- Flow Follow Flow
Rupert Ravens Next, Patterson NJ
nexxt.us/flowfollowflow.html
Selected feature Artists YaYoi Kusama, Doyle c. Huge, and Yoko Ono - Fountain Art Fair
Amory Week New York, New York City, NY
Represented by KiloWatt Gallery Newark, NJ
2012
- Fountain Art Fair
Art Basel Week, Miami FL
Represented by KiloWatt Gallery, Newark NJ - It’s A Long Way To The Top, If You Want To Rock ‘n Roll
Solo Exhibition Gallery Four, Pittsburgh PA - The Cosmic Carousel
Burning Man 2012, Black Rock NV
Exhibition Of Interactive, Kinetic Monument Scale Sculpture - It’s A Long Way To The Top
1AM Gallery, San Francisco CA
Two Person Exhibition Also Featuring The Work of Sean Barton - Oakland Indie Awards
Henry J. Kaiser Center, Oakland CA - Solo Exhibition
Breeze Block, Portland OR - Fountain New York
Armory Week New York, New York City NY
Represented by KiloWatt Gallery, Newark NJ - Diamonds in the Rough
American Steel Studios, Oakland CA
2011
- Coming Full Circle, Solo Exhibition
The Gallery Four, Pittsburgh PA
2010
- Abracadabra
Hollywood Art and Culture Center, Hollywood FL
2009
- Eat Your Heart Out
Easy Street Gallery (Art Basel Week), Miami FL - Fuerza Bruta
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami FL
Presented multiple sculptures including “Steel Column” commissioned for the event - Culture Kings
Culture Kings Gallery, Miami FL
2008
- Metal
Ramapo College of New Jersey, New Jersey NY
Selected feature artists: Louise Bourgeois, Lynda Benglis, Mel Edwards - ULTD
1110 Queen Street W, Toronto Ontario, Canada
Selected feature artist: Kwest - Hot Metal
Space Exhibition Gallery, Pittsburgh PA
Selected feature artists: Kenneth Patrick Payne, Gavin Kenyon, Michael Dominick
2005
- Static Free
Space Exhibition Gallery, Pittsburgh PA
Selected feature Artists: Boris Tellegen “Delta”, Steven Powers, Calma, Maya Hayuk, Other - Expropriated Logic
Arrow Gallery, Pittsburgh PA
2004
- Graffiti World Group Show
Go Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2003
- Walsh/Mackeen Group Exhibit
Here and Now Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada
2002
- H.Y.P.E 2
The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Ontario, Canada - T.H.E.M. Group Exhibit
160 Spadina Avenue, Toronto Ontario, Canada
2001
- Diversity
Thirteenth Floor Gallery, Chicago IL - The New Face of Steel
Horizons Gallery, Pittsburgh PA
2000
- R/evolution
Horizons Gallery, Pittsburgh PA - Flux
5100 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA - Out For Fame
Transart Gallery, Montral Quebec, Canada
Group exhibition, Selected feature artists: Zilon, Other, Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper - Horizons Gallery Inaugural Group Exhibition
1997
- Building Bridges for Tomorrow
The Turmoil Room, Pittsburgh PA
SELECTED COMMISSIONS & DONATIONS
- Bike Rack Commission
Awarded By: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust 2017
Piece to be on Permanent Exhibition in the Cultural District Pittsburgh PA - Geyserville CA Sculpture Trail
March 2013
Jury Selected “Steel S Curve”, 1 year Exhibition Period - Abracadabra
Hollywood Art and Culture Center, Hollywood FL
Donation Off Untitled Sculpture For Annual Fundraising Event - Steel Column
March 2009
Commissioned for: Fuerza Bruta
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami FL - Dining for Diaspora Annual Fundraiser
September 2008
Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Donation of Sculpture - Primitive Rhythm
October 2001
Walnut Street Grill, Commissioned for Permanent Display - The Gateway
June 2001
5149, Unveiled as part of the Carnegie Museums International Sculpture Conference honoring “Nam June Paik”, collaborative stainless steel public sculptures were commissioned for permanent display by the City of Pittsburgh and Friendship Development Associates. Funded by the City of Pittsburgh Public Arts Commission - United Way’s Day of Caring
October 2000
Boulevard of the Allies and Forbes Avenue, Painted Collaborative Mixed Medium Mural Sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, The United Way, and The Oakland Business Improvement District, as Part Of An Ongoing Urban Renewal Project.
SELECTED AWARDS AND GRANTS
- The Kiski Award 2017 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Presented by: S Kent Rockwell Foundation Trustee Kris Rockwell - Maker Faire Pittsburgh 2015
Cast Metals and Mold making Presentation
Funding Support:
The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum and Buhl Foundation - The Cosmic Carousel
Funding Support:
Kickstarter
Private Donor: Carolyn Woods
Debuted At Burning Man 2012 project on going - Static Free Exhibition Space
Pittsburgh PA 2006 Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Jackson Clark Partners acted as primary Fiduciary
Funding Support:
Corporate sponsors to include Red Bull, Scion, American Eagle, PBR A W Mellon Foundation
Sprout Fund
Multicultural Arts Initiative Green House Grant - The Gateway 2001 Stainless Steel Monument
Scale Sculptures on permanent exhibition at 5150 and 5149 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA
Funded Support:
City of Pittsburgh public art program
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Architectural Digest
“The Cosmic Carousel is a Work of Sci Fi Art”
June 2016, Author : Thersa Chong
architecturaldigest.com/story/cosmic-carousel-work-of-sci-fi-art - Make Magazine Online
“Graffiti Artist Makes It 3d with Metal Casted Sculpture”
November 2015, Author: Jess Hobbs
makezine.com/2015/11/03/graffiti-artist-3d-metal-casted-sculpture - “The Michael Walsh Interview”
October 2012, Author: Kimbo Slice
nakyouout.com/2012/10/the-michael-walsh-interview - “The History of American Graffiti”
April 2011, Published by Harper Collins
Authors: Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon - “Blow the Scene interview”
January 2011, Author: Andy McNeil
blowthescene.com/interviews/michael-walsh-interview.html - “Modern Revival, Finding a Modernist Gem in an Unlikely Place”
June 12 2008, Pittsburgh City Paper, Author: Charles Rosenblum - “Prism Refracting Graffiti’s Essence into Welding”
October 2006, Pound Magazine Issue 35, Author: Dan Bergeron - “Graffiti World”
October 2004, Thames and Hudson Publishing, Author: Nicholas Ganz - “Grabby Graffiti Finds a Room of its’ Own”
January 11 2003, Toronto Star, Author: Peter Goddard