Michael Close

Michael Close was born on August 14, 1954, in Toronto, Canada. His recent works resonate with some of the oldest symbols known to humanity: the triangle, zigzag, wave, three parallel lines, chevron, and circle, carrying echoes from prehistoric times. In his art, partial human figures and faces intertwine with abstract forms, creating a dynamic interplay of red, green, blue, white, and black lines. These elements give the impression of time and color flowing continuously, each hue and image birthing another. Close’s creations evoke memories of ancient cultures across the world.

Symbolism plays a key role in his pieces, exploring universal themes like male and female, good and evil, the sacred and the profane. These dualities come alive through rhythmic patterns and symmetries, suggesting connections to primordial times.

Over his career, Michael Close has held over 50 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows. Notably, he inaugurated the National Gallery of the Solomon Islands with his solo exhibition in 1995 and has displayed his work in various countries, including Belgium, Germany, Spain, Romania, Ukraine, and at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University), Close has also worked as a scenic artist and art director for film, television, and theater, with credits that include “Three Men and a Baby” and “T and T.” In 2001, his art was exhibited in a series of shows in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Close is also known for donating his artwork to support various charitable causes.