Trees have inspired legions of artists, from Anselm Keifer to Ansel Adams. But Michael Gullberg takes his inspiration in new directions, creating a forest of images in oil paint and graphite that are framed in intricate hand-hewn wood creations. “Trees are an endless fascination and inspiration for me,” says Gullberg. “It is the human characteristics of trees and our mutual dependence with them that draws me in.”
Indeed, Gullberg’s trees are meditative in their humanity, reflecting the artist’s spiritual connection to nature. These aren’t cliched wood nymphs and trolls, but rather sensual torsos and limbs that invite viewers to linger almost voyeuristically to absorb the implied forms and shapes. Gullberg tips his trees on their sides and inter-twines branches and roots. The stoic foliage so many take for granted becomes gratifyingly alive through Gullberg’s command of tools and mediums.
Gullberg is one of those rare Los Angeles artists who eschewed formal art school in favor of blazing his own trail. Instead, he has read books, conversed with fellow artists, shared studio time in live painting sessions, and opened himself to a variety of learning opportunities–including the chance to study woodworking with the late Sam Maloof, one of the greatest furniture makers of our time. Gullberg had a solo exhibit at the Southwest Museum in 2008, and his work has been shown at several galleries throughout Los Angeles including Future Studio Gallery, Cactus Gallery and The Pod Gallery in Northeast LA. He has been featured in many Create:Fixate shows in Los Angeles and has exhibited work at the Lisa Coscino Gallery in Pacific Grove.
Part of the 18th Annual Arroyo Arts Collective Discovery Tour on Sunday, November 21, 2010.
arroyoartscollective.org
