SAAC is hosting a reception on Saturday, January 6 from 5:30-7:00pm welcoming Little Rock sculptor Michael Warrick and his exhibition “Memento-Mori” in the Merkle Gallery January 4-30. Warrick uses aluminum, hydrocal, and porcelain as his medium in his exhibition that displays a narrative as well as abstracted portraits exploring themes of transformation, angst, meditation, mentorship, identity, death, and memory as the key to understanding who we are and aspire to be. Each portrait is a compilation of images that builds a unique execution through its subtle assemblage of narrative images, natural textures and found objects.
The term “Memento-Mori” is defined as “a reminder of death and mortality.” Warrick’s sculptures capture the fragility and vulnerability of the human form. Yet, there is also a sense of strength and resilience in Warrick’s work. They serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity; we can find beauty and strength within ourselves. Through his art, Warrick encourages us to confront our own fears and vulnerabilities, to acknowledge the pain and darkness within ourselves, but also to find hope and joy amidst the struggles. Warrick’s sculptures invite us to embrace all aspects of our existence – the good and the bad – and to appreciate the beauty that can be found in both.
A native of Little Rock since 1990, Warrick grew up in Morris, Illinois. In 1990, he was hired by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he advanced through the ranks to full professor of art prior to his retirement from full-time work in 2022.
Michael Warrick was presented the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arkansas Living Treasure Award for 2020. Additionally, he is the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and awards, including the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship through the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois, a Visual Arts Grant/Fellowship from the Southeastern College Art Conference in Chapel Hill, NC, an Arkansas Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowship, and Artist Grants from Art Matters, Inc. and the Pollack-Krazner Foundation, both located in New York City. In 2009, he received the Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement by the Southeastern College Art Conference in Chapel Hill, NC.
Warrick has created sculpture for parks in Changchun, China, and Hanam, South Korea. In the Little Rock area, he has created sculpture at the National Park Services Central High Museum, the Central Arkansas Library System, the Statehouse Convention Center, The Vogel Swartz Sculpture Garden, the University of Arkansas Ottenhiemer Library, The CARTI Cancer Center, The Ronald McDonald House, The Bernice Garden, the Maumelle Library, and the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. In 2019/2020 he installed sculpture commissions at The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, the city of Southlake, TX and The Grove Community Center in Whittier, CA.
Join us at the reception on Saturday, January 6 recognizing Warrick along with El Dorado artist Spencer Purinton and the open studio artist from Gay Bechtelheimer’s weekly open studio.
