Mike Chattem Artist Talk

"I make paintings that freely alternate between the boundaries of wall work and sculpture. Working with a combo of industrial materials and traditional media, I build chunky composites of maquette style landscapes and dimensional painting gestures. The work explores the phenomenological potential of painting through hyper tactility and sometimes kinetic elements.

Having lived in the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast, I feel a broad sentiment to the American condition. My practice is sort of like a subversive celebration of a new Americana. Regional tropes, polished consumerism and material exploration are frequent themes; all approached with a playful freedom and humor, regardless of how mundane or terrifying."

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​Mike Chattem is an artist who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. His recent solo exhibitions include Gattopardo and SPRING/BREAK Art Show, both in Los Angeles. Selected group exhibitions include Moosey in Norwich, UK, Hashimoto in Los Angeles, SADE in Los Angeles, SAP Space in Berlin, Steve Turner in Los Angeles, Torrance Art Museum in Torrance, CA, and SOIL Gallery in Seattle. He holds a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art and has most recently been an artist in residence at Foundation OBRAS in Evoramonte, Portugal. His work is part of the permanent collections at the Aster in Los Angeles and Mindspace, NY, MeowWolf in Los Angeles and has been featured in New American Paintings, ArtsInSquare Magazine and Hyperallergic.