Michael Surber

https://www.michaelsurberart.com

Michael W. Surber's artistry is a striking display of color's emotive force and an adventurous exploration of form. His approach to painting is dynamic, marked by a tactile and often thick application of paint that seems to jump off the canvas, engaging the viewer directly. Surber's skillful use of a wide range of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to calming blues and greens, exhibits his deep understanding of color theory and its emotional resonance.

One of his notable works features a solitary figure amidst abstract, swirling forms, brilliantly employing negative space. The figure, in contemplative grey, appears absorbed in thought, contrasting with the chaotic, colorful background that suggests a stormy inner world or cosmic beauty, leaving room for diverse interpretations.

Another piece, a lively portrait, radiates life through bright colors and bold strokes. The figure's joyful expression, set against a warm-colored backdrop, highlights the painting's vibrancy and Surber's ability to encapsulate the subject's essence while letting the medium itself express emotion.

Surber also showcases versatility with a piece that combines collage and line drawing, creating a complex narrative about human identity. This work, featuring a face made of torn text, blurs the lines between artistic disciplines, prompting reflection on personal stories.

His landscapes add another layer to his collection, with one particular piece suggesting a vibrant, moving landscape through sweeping color strokes. The thick paint application adds depth and texture, crafting a dream-like reality that oscillates between the real and surreal.

A floral artwork in Surber's collection stands out for its dynamic, almost musical quality. Depicted with broad strokes and contrasting colors, the flowers seem to leap from the canvas, celebrating natural beauty and spontaneous expression.

In his exploration of mixed media, Surber creates complex portraits using materials like vinyl records and cassette tapes. These pieces create a dialogue between past and present, individual and collective narratives, demonstrating his eye for composition and cultural commentary.

Other works by Surber capture movement and energy through dynamic lines and paint splatters, creating a sense of rhythm and controlled chaos. These pieces seem to visually map unseen dances or unheard music.

One piece in particular uses color and light to evoke serenity and depth. Cool blues and purples, combined with stark white highlights, create a tranquil scene, contrasting with his other more energetic works, and showcasing Surber's range in evoking diverse emotions.

Michael W. Surber's body of work is a deep exploration of color and form's emotional potential. Each piece, whether figurative or abstract, stands as a testament to his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas visually. His art encourages viewers to engage deeply, feeling each painting on a visceral level, and is a bold, colorful affirmation of the enduring power of painting in a digital age.

Michael W. Surber's art transcends the conventional boundaries of painting, offering a multi-sensory experience that engages not just the eyes, but also the heart and mind of the viewer. His use of mixed media in several pieces is not merely a stylistic choice but a deliberate effort to merge traditional painting with contemporary art forms. This is particularly evident in works where he incorporates vinyl records, which provide not just a textural element but also symbolize the layers of human experience and memory. These pieces do more than visually impress; they invite the viewer to engage with the artwork on a tactile level, imagining the feel of the records' grooves and connecting with the art in a uniquely personal way.

Another piece, featuring cassette tapes against a monochromatic portrait, continues this exploration. The contrast between the ephemeral nature of music captured in the tapes and the permanence of the painted portrait creates a compelling dialogue about time, memory, and the interplay between different artistic mediums. Surber's work often transcends the visual, invoking other senses and creating a synesthetic experience that is rare in visual art.

Surber's landscapes and abstract works, such as those depicting atmospheric skies, demonstrate his exceptional skill with color gradients and his ability to manipulate paint to capture the ethereal beauty of the natural world. These landscapes are more than mere representations; they are interpretations, where the skies become dynamic characters, reflecting the transient beauty of our world.

In his vivid floral compositions, Surber abstracts the essence of flowers through bold strokes and contrasting hues, moving beyond photorealism to engage with the symbolic representation of growth and life. This approach allows viewers to interact with the artwork on a deeper level, connecting with the vivacity and symbolic meanings rather than just the physical form.

Michael W. Surber's oeuvre is a celebration of painting as a medium. His expressive strokes, innovative textures, and bold use of color demonstrate a profound understanding of painting's potential to move and connect. Each piece is a unique narrative, contributing to a cohesive body of work that is not only a visual feast but also a profound commentary on the human experience. Through his art, Surber reminds us of the enduring power of painting to evoke deep emotional responses, bridging the gap between the artist's vision and the viewer's experience. His work is a vibrant testament to the relevance and vitality of painting in an increasingly digital world, inviting us to pause, reflect, and feel.

Michael W. Surber's artwork stands as a vibrant anthology of emotional expression, each piece a testament to his profound ability to communicate through the canvas. Surber's paintings are a dialogue with the viewer, inviting them into a world where color speaks louder than words, and the texture conveys stories that transcend verbal narration. His masterful blend of mediums, from the traditional strokes of paint to the innovative use of mixed media, results in a body of work that is both groundbreaking and deeply rooted in the artistic tradition.

Surber's oeuvre is a celebration of the sensory experience of art, a reminder that to engage with a painting is to engage with life itself. His work captures the ephemeral, the enduring, and the ethereal, encouraging a contemplative journey through the landscapes of human emotion and the natural world. Through his art, Surber challenges the viewer to not only observe but also to feel, to explore, and to connect with the deeper narratives woven into the tapestry of his compositions.

As an award-winning Ohio-based artist, Surber has carved out a unique niche in the art world, one that honors the legacy of painting while pushing its boundaries. His artwork continues to inspire and captivate, securing his place as a significant contemporary artist whose work resonates with a wide audience, inviting us all to find our own stories within the vibrant hues and bold textures of his creations.

By Marta Puig

Editor Contemporary Art Curator Magazine