Artist residencies at PlatteForum are competitively awarded, and give the recipient artist the time, space and support to create a new body of work and present it to the public.
Typified by arresting
powers of visual imagery and spatial sophistication, Michael Gadlin’s artistry is an increasingly recognized phenomenon
in the art world. Rimmed in spontaneity, his 15-year repertoire expresses
a singular uninterrupted brush stroke of Mediterranean, European and Western
influences. Pushing the boundaries of contemporary art form, Michael’s
work epitomizes avant-garde. From his early years of surrealistic
impressionism until now, Michael’s work reflects an improvisational
inventiveness. Exhibiting in select galleries and museums nationwide,
Michael has been commissioned by governments, Fortune 500 corporations and
private collectors.
For Michael the process is about discovering and uncovering. “Elements”
and “Essence” are an ongoing subject for him where he expresses relationship
between them throughout his work. Michael says, “The works I create are a
direct reflection of my inspiration toward the Elements and Essences of nature,
which offer me an aesthetic observation and study for visual content that
offers relevance.” The “Elements” in many of Michael’s work often
examines a more minimal and more refined solution feel to his usual complexity
in his larger works.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Michael Gadlin has been exhibiting work throughout
the United States for over 15 years. As a very young artist, Gadlin studied
drawing and painting at the Art Students League of Denver, where he is
currently instructing other artists. After earning some of his tuition
money from the sales of pastel and charcoal drawings while in high school,
Gadlin then studied at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York. After
moving back west to Colorado, In 1999 Gadlin was the youngest artist ever to be
awarded "Best Of Show" at Denver's nationally renowned Cherry Creek
Arts Festival. Gadlin says, “ He just wants to have some fun, however, this
stuff is hard work!”