Project Description

Michael Marlowe is a studio artist, art director and production designer working in the film and television industry. Marlowe’s large-scale painting process takes an abstract approach to imagery that is rooted in figurative representation. His works examine and vibrantly animate aspects of the human figure from the inside out. Interested in various modes of self exploration, he visually abstracts and reshapes his subject in a pursuit to visualize the human form as something expanded, exploded, and restructured. “It’s the aspects of self we don’t show, the aspects of self we very possibly don’t know that make us tick. This visual deconstruction, this opening up, is in order to see around the parts we know, to discover the parts we don’t.”

The paintings are a meditation on my youth growing up in and around Cincinnati Ohio. This group of paintings reflects a journey back in time. A boy walking the furrowed fields of the southern Ohio River valleys looking for Indian artifacts with my older Brother Ted. Brother Ted became a respected Archeologist. And an expert on the black pottery of the native tribes of that Miami River Valley region. This show is dedicated to Brother Ted. The series of paintings titled “The Eden Park Series” is a kaleidoscope of times and experiences in and around that wonderful hilly city Park perched high above the City of Cincinnati. This storied park, with its views of the winding Ohio River far below, was a treasured destination. Eden Park is the home of the Cincinnati Art Museum, where, encouraged by our mother, we ill-behaved children would play the game of … “If there was a Fire…, what piece of art would you save out of this room and WHY”? It was the WHY that made all the difference… Forced us to look and speak and justify our greedy little choices. Over the years it was the formation of my art education. Other great buildings and companies in Eden Park are the Krohn Conservatory, The Playhouse in the Park, the famous Rookwood Pottery, and the Baldwin Piano company. Mount Adams, the village surrounding the park was a legendary hang for the local bohemian sceneAt the age of 15, I first saw David Lynch’s “Eraserhead” in the small art/porn house theater, Memorable! In a word, it was a safe place, Open with Wonder, it was a Zone of Magical thinking. In these paintings…it still is.

EDUCATION
1992
MFA in set direction for theater, Arizona State University
1986
MA, BFA, Arizona State University
1980
University of Cincinnati, College of Design Architecture and Art
 
AWARDS, GRANTS, AND HONORS
1994
Grant, Western States Arts Federation/National Endowment for the Arts
1991
Artist Material Grant, Contemporary Forum, Phoenix, AZ
1989
Purchase Award, Southern Invitational, Yuma Fine Arts Center, Yuma, AZ
 
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022
Midwest, Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2021
David E. Adler Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, AZ
2018
A Deeper Season, Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2012
Michael Marlowe XXL, After Hours Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
1994
Michael Marlowe, Makey Gallery, Denver, CO
1994
Michael Marlowe, New Directions Gallery, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ
1994
Michael Marlowe, Alexanders Gallery, Tampa, FL
1993
Michael Marlowe, Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ
1993
Michael Marlowe, Malton Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
1991
Michael Marlowe, Malton Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
 
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Annual Group Show, Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2021
Cadence, Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
2016
Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
1993
2nd Annual Small Works Exhibition, Elaine Horwitch Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ
1992
Chicago International Art Exposition, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
1991
Stremmel Gallery, Reno, NV
1990
Marilyn Butler Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
1990
Pima College, Tucson, AZ
1989
Sette Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
1989
Southwestern Invitational, Yuma, AZ
1988
Madison Gallery Show, Phoenix, AZ
1988
Prairie Lee Gallery, Chicago, IL
1986
Santa Fe Art Annex, Santa Fe, NM
1985
Harry Wood Gallery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
1984
North Light Gallery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
1983
Manell Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
1982
Lambert Miller Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
 
PUBLICATIONS
2016
Marvin, Erin. Body Language, Luxe Interiors + Design – Arizona, July/August
1994
Nilsen, Richard. Brush Strokes, Arizona Republic, July 15, page E1
1994
Nilsen, Richard. Art in Summer Review, Arizona Republic, June
1993
Melsnik, Sondra. Body and Soul: Artist finds Appealing Theme in Cone Designs, Scottsdale Progress, April 8, page 8
1993
Leboy, Edward. Art Therapy, New Times, August 21, page 61