michael manning

Yellow more…

Yellow more… a new series of paintings and sculptures by Michael Manning focuses on the color yellow and abstraction. The narrow parameters of using yellow and keeping things more abstract is an intentional process established to force the artist to become more introspective and investigative within the confines of the guidelines. This process is directly connected to his habit of working on a series of paintings for at least a year or more. The process creates a reflective journey that naturally develops into a storyline or underlying idea.

While his work is driven by process and formal decisions, the subject matter in much of his work is often inspired by universal moral messages found in mythology and religion. Combining formalist ideas with specific content may seem contradictory but allows the artist to find a certain purity and maintain an allegiance to the canvas in front of him, while also addressing broader questions of morality and human nature.  

A new twist in his approach has come from increasing involvement with Social Practice Art projects that often utilize recycled material as a focal point to organize events and workshops. Unlike the paintings that use universal stories and messages as a moral springboard, the recycled materials used to create sculptures come across as whimsical and lighthearted. Formal ideas are still the guiding force in the construction and balance of the sculptures but they are not trying to directly connect to a broader story. 

The bicycle sculptures and the use of the color yellow to tie together random found objects are the underlying start to his new series of yellow paintings. These paintings quite literally started with abstract geometric shapes and lines inspired by the bike sculptures. 

What connects all of this to his painting is how they are constructed and presented. This often involves students and young aspiring artists that help gather materials and paint the finished sculptures. The work is constructed and used as a tool to inspire and demonstrate how to create work from recycled material. The resulting communal event is what the moral messages in many of his series are all about.

Line, shape and color all being together in the moment and part of the process is the heart of the Yellow More… series.  When asked about the color yellow Michael jokingly says “every time I go to the store, all they have is yellow. “Its important color in much of my work so I suppose there is an obsession with yellow or bikes or something….”

In reality, it's a focused thoughtful series of beautiful works. What started out as a reductive set of strict parameters blossomed into a concentrated set of subtle works that through simplicity became expansive in its conclusion.

Maison Mason