Cosmic dolphins, dancing stars, domesticated cats, and other odd forms doing their part in the greater composition. Color and geometry hold together characters discreetly attempting to pull apart the sum of the whole at the seams. Some obvious, some quiet. Michael Saunders’ paintings capture pictures impressed on the spirit, seeing the joy, humor, and absurdity of the beautiful momentary experience. Sometimes poetic, always silly, never taken too seriously. Layers of paint and color give the viewer a physical reaction. Gouache, oil, spray, and anything that calls out to make a feeling or texture are clumsily applied to paper and canvas.
Michael’s recent exhibitions include 5-50 Gallery (NYC), Heiress Gallery (St. Petersburg, FL), Kent Gallery – Florida State College at Jacksonville (FL), Florida Mining Gallery (Jacksonville, FL), Watercolour Society (NYC), and Project Gallery V (NYC).
Michael graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2013, and alongside making paintings at his studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he professionally tattoos between PHL, NJ, and FL.
instagram: @michael___saunders
b. 1986, NJ
lives & works in Philadelphia, PA
Education
2013, BFA – Visual Arts, Painting, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Solo Exhibitions
2023, Bold Bean, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Two- and Three-Person Exhibitions
2023, Twisted Toons, 5-50 Gallery, NYC
2023, Time.After | Time | After.Time, Kent Gallery – Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
2022, Outer Liminal Non Space, Bold Bean, Jacksonville, FL
Group Exhibitions
2024, Big Ramp, Philadelphia, PA (forthcoming)
2024, Now, One With Everyone!, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
2024, EXTRA EXTRA at THE ORANGE, Watercolour Society, Brooklyn, NY
2023, CMND/CTRL, Heiress Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
2023, Florida Mining Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2022, betwixt and between, curated by Trinity Lester & Cary Hulbert, Project Gallery V, NYC
2022, Cafe Volan, Asbury Park, NJ
2019, Art from the Heart, Jamian’s, Red Bank, NJ
2017, Terroir, Trident Art Gallery, Long Branch, NJ
2016, Tender Trap, Superchief Gallery, NYC
2013, Select Art Fair, Art Basel Miami Beach, FL
2013, Gandalf vs. Gaddafi, Round 2: Fight, Springtime Lovers, Mason Gross Galleries, New Brunswick, NJ
2012, Systems, Mason Gross Galleries, New Brunswick, NJ
2012, Project 3×2, Livingston Arts Building (LAB) Gallery, Piscataway, NJ
2011, Capital City Art Show, Art Works Gallery, Trenton, NJ
2011, Chance, Mason Gross Galleries, New Brunswick, NJ
2010, Summer Exhibition, Noyes Museum, Stockton, NJ
2010, Stampede, Le Souterrain Gallery, Seaside Heights, NJ
Awards & Nominations
2023, Selected Artist, White Columns Curated Artist Registry, WhiteColumns.org, NY
2013, Art & Design Award, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University
Profiles
Artsy
White Columns