The Artist

American-born artist Michael Clements has exhibited in a number of solo and group exhibitions in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Washington DC. His earlier works from Washington D.C. and Japan. His works are mainly narrative-based and employ a mixed media pop-art style. Michael began working on canvas and in oil in Hong Kong (2001-2004), and Los Angeles (2004-2006). His most recent works from Los Angeles and D.C. are abstract mixed media on canvas. 

With pieces ranging from his time in Hong Kong, the U.S. and Japan, Michael’s work is deep in political and social satire as well as personal worlds full of meaning. Yet all is open for interpretation.  

Artist’s statement

The images and media of my paintings vary but two common threads connect the work—movement and text.  There are two ways to view my art: 

One is to breeze over each and soak in the immediate colors and patterns—but you’d be missing the point. The work is meant to be viewed as one might read a book or watch a movie and it is best to imagine each of the objects as they are moving. If you do this, you’ll find that each picture has its own motion and interplay between the objects and ideas therein. It is this movement and interaction which brings the art to life. 

If you can imagine this, then the artwork will be what it originally was before it came to rest on paper—a buzzing hive of ideas, images, experiences, wants, needs and fantasies all yearning to break out. 

Exhibition History

Solo Exhibitions 

July 2007, “Art in Dependence”, Washington D.C.

August 2003, “b.art”, Hong Kong

December 2002, “The Art of Story”, Hong Kong

Group Exhibitions 

March 2011 - Current, Artist in Residence, ArtJamz Dupont Studio, Washington DC

March 2008, “Art Anonymous,” Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC

April 2005, “Share Space VII”, Infusion Gallery, Los Angeles

October 2004, “Project Lemon”, Hong Kong

January 2004, “Winter Salon”, Hong Kong