Michael Moffett

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For the American politician, see Michael Moffett (politician).
Fountainhead (1980), Bronze Sculpture
Portable War Memorial Sculpture
Childrens War Memorial, bronze

Michael Moffett is an American shock artist.[1] and realistic sculptor raised in New York City and Sarasota, Florida.[1] He has spent much of his career in Cocoa Beach, Florida.[2] He is known for his two-part, life-sized, hyper-realistic sculpture of a homeless veteran in a wheelchair looking at a second sculpture of a man's torso mounted on a tiny military tank with a gun to his head titled the Portable War Memorial.[1] The piece deals with PTSD and veteran suicide.[1] Many of his bronze sculptures merge human figures and industrial machines.[3][1] His body casts of numerous human models are made with various materials, including resin and silicone.[1]

Education[edit]

In 1969, Moffett served as a Marine corp radio operator along the Ho Chi Minh Trail,[4] in Vietnam. Those combat experiences tinged much of his work. Later he attended Ringling School of Art and Design[5] in Sarasota and Palomar College[1] in California, majoring in Fine Arts before working as a professional welder in his own studio for several years.[4]

Career and Style[edit]

Around 1979, Moffett started casting in polyester resins, epoxies, and silicone rubber.[6] His hyper-realistic sculpture could be compared to Duane Hanson and John De Andrea. Many of his paintings feature strong social commentary, including satirical advertising slogans.[7]

He also formerly taught sculpture at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland, Florida, from 2018 to 2022[8]

Controversy[edit]

After being commissioned to create a bronze drinking fountain for the City of Cocoa, Florida, and the local art community, Moffett created the sculpture titled Fountainhead.[1] The drinking fountain included giant, mismatched feet, dangling hands and breasts, with a water spout spewing from its vampire-fang, tipped lips.[1] Upon its unveiling, the mayor of Cocoa quickly decommissioned [9] and banned the piece from the city. It is currently on tour.[10]

Exhibitions & Awards[edit]

Clio Art Fair in Manhattan, NY [11](2019)

A Soldier's Home Show at Art & History Museums - Maitland Art Center, Maitland, FL (2018)[12]

Orange, Fresh Squeezed Florida Artist in the Big Apple, The Bishop Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2017)[4]

Best in Show, Fountainhead, Orlando Museum of Art (2013)[4]

Best in Sculpture at Disney Festival of Masters, the Altar (1979)[13]

Best in Show, No. 1,[2] The Sarasota Art Association,[14] now Art Center Sarasota, (1970)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cox, Billy (9 November 2017). "Sculpture Shock". Herald Tribune. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). "12- Year-Olds art Most Original". Tampa Bay Times. p. 75. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  3. ^ Gabriel, Joan (19 September 1982). "BCC's new gallery hosts show of contrasts". Florida Today. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Sonnerberg, Maria (5 Oct 2017). "Moffett's art depicts pain, repercussions of Vietnam War". Viera Voice. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  5. ^ Pirani, Jessica (10 January 2017). "Artist Spotlight: Michael Moffett". Artborne Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  6. ^ Palm, Matthew J. (13 November 2018). "Veterans explore art and war at A&H Museums". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Moffett Art - Shock Artist Michael Moffett of Cocoa Beach". WUCF artisodes. 18 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Faculty". Art and History Maitland. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Village seeks a fountain". Florida Today. 24 November 1980. pp. 1D.
  10. ^ Cox, Billy (26 May 1981). "Fountainhead Controversial sculpture finds a home". Florida Today. pp. 1D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Clio Art Fair". Sam Heydt. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Soldier's Home: Veterans' Art in Central Florida". Art and History Museum. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  13. ^ Clark, Amy (22 Oct 1980). "11 Brevard artist make 'Masters'". Florida Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  14. ^ Benbow, Charles (25 December 1970). ""12-Year-Old's Art Most Original"". Tampa Bay Times. pp. 8D. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
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