Michael Rea has done M.F.A from University of Wisconsin-Madison. His creative genius of carving beautiful artifacts from wood with an intention of ‘creating the idea of an object that remains a dream’ has been instrumental in gaining an eminent position all across the globe. His work is unusually fantastic depicting an artistic skill, which the genius has in profusion.
Over the course of an email interview with us, Rea divulged the intricacies behind the knack of his resourcefulness, roll down to see for yourself,
1. When and how did you first discover your inclination towards wood carving?
Michael: Well I am really not that much of a carver as I prefer to construct. My process is more additive and not as much about carving/subtracting. I was originally trained as a painter, and my wood working skills were limited to building stretchers. From this I began to build forms using that same skill set. Since then I have evolved into more complex wood working processes, but most are remedial as far as cabinet builders and construction workers are concerned.
2. Michael, please acquaint our readers with your sculpting technique?
Michael: I don’t always see my work as well crafted. I tend to make a mistake, and have to add a layer of wood to cover the mistake, and then I make another mistake, and have to cover that one as well. This pattern continues for some time. I never really had any formal training in wood working until graduate school, and even then my training was limited. In undergrad I wanted to be a painter. I sort of learned to build stretchers. My first few sucked, but I got a little better as time went on. The time that I put into a piece allows me to consider what I am doing and ask questions. I can make changes and hopefully create a better piece as I go, or a worst piece. Sometimes it seems silly to make something perfect. Mistakes make things seem a bit more real. There is always a ton of time while you are just sitting there latch-hooking for a month straight. Since you thought to yourself one night, “Hey I should make a wookie version of the modern classic Olympia. That would be funny and visually appealing. All I need is a handmade latch-hooked wookie suit, a model, a bow-caster and a chase lounge. I think the sincerity of my process appeals to people, and is sometimes considered skill. No one should ever buy a dovetail anything from me. I can weld but never use it in my work, it’s just too David Smith for me.
3. What is the motif running in all your creations?
Michael: I guess pop culture, real and fictitious. I guess my work is about how hard it is to tell the difference between culture/reality and pop culture/fantasy. I also use a lot of humor in my work. Life can be such a drag in most cases. I like my work to be fun, fun to make and fun to look at. Sometimes my humor can be aggressive, and or offensive, and this can lead to offended people. I think offended people are fun as well.
4. Have there been interesting events that inspired your artwork?
Michael: Not really. Would you count the film Jaws.
5. Your artistic work reflects upon and innovates within the best of contemporary trends, what do you have to say in this regard?
Michael: Wow, thanks. I was going for that. It’s nice to hear something like that.
6. For young people who would like to start carving, what kind of advice would you like to give them?
Michael: Skip the whole carving thing and build. Or leave the building thing for me and stick to carving.
7. What work are you seeing right now that’s blowing you away?
Michael: Geoffrey Tod Smith, Jason Robert Bell, Chris Uphues, Paul Nudd, John Abbot. John and I had a show together recently and his paintings are amazing. Everyone should buy one. They should also but one of my pieces while there at it.
Quick bits:
1. Describe yourself in one word?
Michael: Sexy.
2. What kind of music do you prefer?
Michael: I am not sure if there is a kind; I like Pavement, Procol Harem, Otis Redding, Fergi, and the Kinks.
3. If you had to walk in another man’s shoes for a day, it would have to be.....
Michael: Stephen Hawking, no Christopher Reves, no FDR, yes definitely FDR.
4. If you could choose to make a dream come true, it would be.....
Michael: Marry Paris Hilton.
Thank you Michael for sparing out in doing an interview with us, also I’d like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.
