Phillip Michaels

"The exhibition stems from an experience I had while swimming in the Andaman Sea. A torrential downpour ensued. The sky turned white and the water’s surface vigorously bubbled. I floated on my back, enjoying the fall of the rain as it hit the roof of my open mouth. It caused a tickling sensation—simultaneously exciting and calming.

The paintings portray otherworldly landscapes that are rooted in reality. The scenes are constructed using natural elements such as water, earth, and air, but they also depict fantasy. The works invite the viewer to become visually immersed in their vivid color, multiple layers, and complex forms and ask if perception can transform the mundane world into an experience of ecstasy."

-Phillip Michaels