Michael Holman in his studio, credit: Rob Northway
Michael Holman's is a filmmaker, artist, writer, and musician and an influential observer of popular culture and entertainment. His paintings are graphic, bold, and disruptive. They are visually minimal yet impossible to experience disassociated from feelings of bewilderment. They force a conversation about history, ownership, and power. The artist explores, confronts, and seeks to demystify the power and complexity of symbols. One symbol in particular, the Confederate flag. The artist’s paintings of Confederate flags, rendered in gold and silver leaf, acrylic, flock, and layered gesso, challenge the viewer: who owns a symbol and how does it gain meaning?