As somebody who teaches art to college students, one of my (many) mantras is you have to make art about things that actually interest you. As much as this may sound like a no-brainer, it actually comes as a shock to many students who think they have to fit into a mold or conform to a specific career path to “make it” as an artist. Michael Rea (pronounced “Ray”) is living proof that an artist can prosper by establishing a direct link to their fantasy world. The 36-year old Chicago artist is constantly churning out epic carved wooden sculptures like a weaponized time-travelling suit of robotic armor made for Stephen Hawking that is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
(FULL ARTICLE: Garth Johnson, CRAFT Magazine)
Art News
Against the Grain: The Sculpture of Michael Rea
January 9, 2012