Michael Beck's "The Art of Memory"

Lora Schlesinger is pleased to announce Michael Beck’s third solo exhibition with the gallery. The Art of Memory is a continued exploration of the multidimensionality of still life, the virtuosity of realism, and the power of nostalgia. The exhibition opens Saturday, March 4, 2017 and is on view through April 15, 2017. The opening reception is Saturday, March 4th from 5 – 7pm.

The subjects of Michael Beck’s paintings, single peculiar items painted to scale, are hand chosen from flea markets and thrift stores. Intentionally choosing objects that are dated remnants of our culture, he considers each item to be an archaeological discovery. Spot-lit, the staged antiques cast dramatic shadows against boldly colored walls. Each item is virtuously painted with a fluidity that seductively mimics life and form. Within each work, Beck creates a second life for these subjects. Stripped from their original context, Beck raises to question the value, the meaning, and the function that each item once had, and what they mean for us today. The depiction of Beck’s souvenirs trigger memories for some, and introduce remnants of history to others.

Michael Beck was a recipient of the Pollock-Krasner grant in 2014 and a recipient of the Haven Foundation Artist Grant in 2013. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Foundation, Boise Art Museum in Idaho, and the Redding Museum in California. He received his MFA in Painting with High Distinction from the California College of Arts in 1984. He has exhibited works throughout the U.S. since 1973, including Pasadena Art Museum, the Oakland Museum, Berkeley Art Center, and Riverside Art Museum.