Artist Statement:
My work explores my suburban upbringing, fascinations with underground subcultures that were my escape, and interest in industrial era history. These disparate sources clash, creating an abstract mythology used to illustrate my vision of contemporary issues. I employ printmaking as my primary medium due to its legacy as a communicative medium for the working class.
In this body of work I focus on our society appearing to be on the precipice of great change that includes evolution in areas, but also entrenchment. We see everywhere the crumbling remnants of the industrial age in our landscapes, remnants that many continue to desperately hold on to despite the futility in doing so. As these facades rust away, it becomes clear that many of the societal ills we had thought were overcome still lurk in the shadows, seizing the opportunity to prey on our fear. Through this futile grasp of nostalgia, our society is forgetting or rejecting the very elements of social evolution that have allowed us the freedom to make our own futures. Through my work I seek to shed light on these issues, to rip off the blindfolds our fear has created, before history ends up repeating itself once again.
Artist Bio:
Michael Weigman is an artist, printmaker, and educator living in Columbus, Ohio. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University, with a focus in printmaking. Much of Michael’s work explores a personal mythos combining elements of his suburban upbringing, obsession with history, and his fascination with subcultures found in extreme metal music. He's exhibited his work both nationally and internationally, and has organized art exhibitions in Ohio and surrounding states. Beyond being a practicing artist he is currently a manager of the print shop Upright Press, a member at the Columbus Printed Art Center, and a freelance illustrator. He also has experience as a faculty member at multiple academic institutions, most recently at Ohio State University. You can learn more about Michael and look at his work at www.MichaelWeigman.com
My work explores my suburban upbringing, fascinations with underground subcultures that were my escape, and interest in industrial era history. These disparate sources clash, creating an abstract mythology used to illustrate my vision of contemporary issues. I employ printmaking as my primary medium due to its legacy as a communicative medium for the working class.
In this body of work I focus on our society appearing to be on the precipice of great change that includes evolution in areas, but also entrenchment. We see everywhere the crumbling remnants of the industrial age in our landscapes, remnants that many continue to desperately hold on to despite the futility in doing so. As these facades rust away, it becomes clear that many of the societal ills we had thought were overcome still lurk in the shadows, seizing the opportunity to prey on our fear. Through this futile grasp of nostalgia, our society is forgetting or rejecting the very elements of social evolution that have allowed us the freedom to make our own futures. Through my work I seek to shed light on these issues, to rip off the blindfolds our fear has created, before history ends up repeating itself once again.
Artist Bio:
Michael Weigman is an artist, printmaker, and educator living in Columbus, Ohio. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University, with a focus in printmaking. Much of Michael’s work explores a personal mythos combining elements of his suburban upbringing, obsession with history, and his fascination with subcultures found in extreme metal music. He's exhibited his work both nationally and internationally, and has organized art exhibitions in Ohio and surrounding states. Beyond being a practicing artist he is currently a manager of the print shop Upright Press, a member at the Columbus Printed Art Center, and a freelance illustrator. He also has experience as a faculty member at multiple academic institutions, most recently at Ohio State University. You can learn more about Michael and look at his work at www.MichaelWeigman.com
