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"The
Gesture"
by Michael Meli
2024
PRICE: $2,000 |
Michael Meli
(1969) -
Artist's Statement
Sculptor, Tattooist, and
Educator
In my youth drawing and painting were passions that I had to learn.
In High school I was introduced to sculpture. Sculpting has always
felt natural to me. Three dimensional art and the tactile aspect of
sculptural work just seems to flow out of me. As a result I
gravitate to sculpture as my form
 of expression. I have studied many
ways to sculpt and have worked in many genres of art over the years.
As an Artist I have had to adapt to life’s circumstances. I have had
several Pitfalls that have directly altered my course that I have
had to recover from. Early in my artistic growth I was mentored by a
magnificent man, Artist, friend, confidant and father figure.
(Renowned Artist Daniel Christoffel) As a boy I grew up in a single
parent household where my mother had to work three jobs to support
her three children. My grandmother was the primary home figure and I
was the only boy sandwiched between to sister siblings. Growing up
in a home with all women I looked for a male role model and as I
loved to draw I found myself in a unique position to relate to my
Art teacher in High school. He liked to be called “Mr. C”. He is a
traditionally trained Artist in the classical styles of painting and
sculpture. As a young artist I applied to Pratt institute in
Brooklyn where I was awarded a scholarship. In the fall of 1987 I
attended Pratt. In 1988 I was struggling to adhere to the confines
of the artistic period at Pratt and left to study at the Art
Students league in Manhattan. By June of 1988 I decided I needed to
change gears, I decided to Join the US NAVY.. As time can only
provide,
I needed to re-discover my artistic vision...in the NAVY I put my
body and mind through immense challenges which transformed me back
to the passion and desire of the art world again, rekindling my
spirit. I jumped back into college at SUNY Old Westbury and triple
majored, Art, psychology and philosophy with a minor in photography.
I received my BS in Art and immediately went into the Masters
Program for Art Education with a focus in sculpture at LIU CW Post
University.
I taught in public school till 2000. On the side I worked for a
Mechanical Display Company creating large Sculptures for companies
like Sach 5th Ave., FAO Schwartz's and more. Also created large
Cemetery Monument Sculptures for North Shore Monuments.
In late 2000 I traversed into the world of Tattooing where I have
been till today. I owned 5 shops at different times, and I have also
currently returned to Education. Along with educating young minds, I
continue to tattoo while sculpting for myself every chance I get.
Current location Prattsville, NY
Facebook: Tombstone Artisans
Instagram: Tombstonestattoogallery
Phone: (516)316-5149 |
