Michael Decker
Artist, Los Angeles
Born in Spokane in 1982, Michael Decker received a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 2005. He has had several solo exhibitions including those at Steve Turner Contemporary in Los Angeles. His recent show, Adult Roman Numeral Thirty, was recently reviewed by Holly Myers in the LA Times.
I discovered Michael and his very subtle yet powerful work quite by accident. Serendipity is quite wonderful in that way! I was driving around town visiting studios when we came upon Michael’s place, a charming farmhouse off a quiet dirt road near Highland Park.
Given the afternoon and randomness of my drop-in, I wasn’t sure what or who to expect inside, and was pleasantly surprised. Everything seemed magical, including the artist himself. Everywhere I turned, there was artwork to be consumed, whether planned to be taken as such or not. Every nook and cranny felt as though the artist, without really trying, imbued his creative vision upon it quite effortlessly.
Michael’s Pinecone Series, pictured here, is a perfect example of his quirky but spot-on artistic sensibility. These little treasures are made with materials sourced from thrift stores or found in nature, combined by the artist with such humor and thoughtfulness one cannot help but be charmed. The artist marries pinecones of varying size, shape, and character with bases from collectible Silliscupt figurines. He’s made hundreds, all with different pinecones and detached textual bases containing sentimental sayings or greeting, such as ” I could fall madly in bed with you” or the classic ” I can’t hide my love”.
Decker works in a diverse array of media… he paints, sculpts, makes installations, video, and performance art. I look forward to watching his career and rarely am I so impressed. When I sense that someone is living their artwork 100%, I get very excited and Michael seems to be one of those “art is life” devotees. See more of Michael’s work on his website and at Steve Turner Contemporary.
What force most clearly inspires your work?
Earth.
What is your favorite thing about your space/land here?
Outdoor space.
Name some of your personal heroes, artists or otherwise.
David Hammons, Yayoi Kusama, Mitch Hedberg.
Where do you source your materials?
Outside on the ground or in thrift stores.
Describe your process?
Collect something, do something to the collection, and then do something to that collection.
What would you like to communicate through your work?
Brevity.
Have a favorite piece to date?
All my pieces are seen as equal.
Whats upcoming for Michael?
Future is yet to be determined.