Michael Gessner - Sculpture and Mixed Media Works

M I C H A E L G E S S N E R
Sculpture and Mixed Media Works

Home I Wood Sculpture I Mixed Media Sculpture I Masks I Statement/Bio I Collections

Michael Gessner

>1349 Rittenhouse Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011
202-291-9321 (H)
202-716-5797 (C)
michaelgessner60@gmail.com

DC artist Michael Gessner creates sculptures and sculptural installations, featuring wood paper and other natural materials. His work includes carved wood objects, mixed media constructions , masks and wearable art.

		EXHIBITIONS
	2022	The Barlow Gillotty Collection: Collection of DC artists, Katzen Art Center at American University, Wash. DC In The Round : Dimensional Fiberworks Six person show, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
	2021	“Wall Mountables,” group show, DC Arts Center, WDC
	2020	“Wall Mountables,” DC Arts Center, WDC Sculpture Now,” group show, McLean Project for the Arts
	2018	New Works, Two-Person Show, Terrace Gallery, Chevy Chase, MD “Zeitgeist Preconceptual,” group show, Hillyer Art Space, WDC
	2017	“Joy,” Athenaeum Invitational, Alexandria, VA
	2016	Sacred Vessels, group show, Smith Healing Arts Center
	2015	“Unearthed/Unleashed,” 2-person show, Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
	2014	“Autumn Mix,” 4-person show, PASS Gallery, WDC
	2011	“Moon Shadow,” Open Studio, Takoma Park, MD “Good Things Come in Small Packages,” Elizabeth French Collection, Katzen Art Center, American University Washington DC
	2010	“This Is Our Body,” Artists and Poets Collaboration, Civic Center, Takoma Park, MD “New Works,” PASS Gallery, WDC
	2009	“Wall Mountables,” group show, DC Arts Center
	2008	“Sculpture,” PASS Gallery, WDC
	2007	“No Representation,” group show, Warehouse Gallery, WDC “Flower Show,” Concepto Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
	2006	“Metamorph,” solo show, Wadell Art Gallery, Commonwealth College, Loudon Campus, VA
	2005	“Natural Selection,” 2-person show, Anne Fisher Gallery, WDC “Along the Grain,” solo show, PASS Gallery, WDC
	2004	“Shaped Nature,” solo show, Concepto Gallery, Brooklyn, NY “Box Show,” Concepto Gallery, Brooklyn
	2003	Solo show, Gallery K, WDC
	2002	“Precious Objects,” District W. Fine Arts, Leesburg, VA “Wood Room,” Sculpture installation, MOCA, WDC
	2001	Solo show, Gallery K, WDC “Further,” PASS Gallery, WDC
	2000	“Small Is Beautiful,” group show, Gallery K, WDC
	Other Exhibits	Evanston Art Center, Evanston IL The Terra Nova Project, Montreal Canada Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA ICA at Univ. of Penn,, Philadelphia, PA Md Institute of Art, Baltimore, Md St John's College, Annapolis,MD Rockville Arts Place, Rockville, MD Corcoran Gallery of Art, Wash.,DC Washington Project for the Arts,Wash.,DC Fondo del Sol Visual Arts Center, Wash., DC Studio Gallery, Wash., DC Touchstone Gallery, Wash.,DC Local 1734 Gallery, Wash.,DC Ruthless Grip Art Project, Wash.,DC Wolfarth Gallery, Wash.,DC

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES
Fellowship for Visual Arts from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Artist Residency, Blue Mountain Center, NY
NEA grant for performance art collaboration

Artist Statement

As an artist I have always been inspired by the myriad forms and compositions; beautiful or bizarre, sometimes whimsical, that can be observed in the natural world. Drawing from this vast repertoire, I choose natural elements that intrigue me. Using them as a springboard; mingling and remixing; constructing or deconstructing, together with other materials organic, man made or found; I filter them through the psychic membrane that connects me with the primeval past. Altering and reshaping; sometimes minimally, sometimes radically allows new imagined forms to evolve, telling their own stories. These stories reveal deeper narratives that speak closer to the point where all things merge. In this process I seek to imbue my work with a touch of primal energy, as an homage to the mysterious and profound unity underlying the infinite variety of the universe.