Michael Peck’s artistic practice is concerned with the sensation of disorientation and dislocation that is often felt within the post modern world. Exploring issues regarding the loss of cultural identity, his work particularly focuses on the effects within minority groups and individuals existing on the fringe who are challenged to assimilate within the larger community.
The scenes in Michael’s paintings are quiet, the participants are paused as they stand withdrawn, juxtaposed against a dynamic population; they are overwhelmed by mass-culture; one which has been composed from the interaction, assimilation and constant change of subcultures. His work looks at the place of the individual within a pluralistic society where a constant shift of values and beliefs leaves a great uncertainty of belonging.
Biography
1977 Born in Melbourne, Victoria
Education
1996-8 Bachelor of Fine Art (painting), Monash University.
1999-2000 Batchelor of Fine Art (Honours), Monash University.
2001 Graduate Diploma in education, Melbourne University.
Travel
Australia, Europe, Asia, United States of America.
Solo Exhibitions
2009 Michael Peck 2009, Metro Gallery, Melbourne
2008 Michael Peck 2008, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne.
2006 Somewhere Culture, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne.
2002 Influence, Gallery 101, Melbourne.
2000 Subtle Shadings of an inherited way of life, Gallery 101, Melbourne.
Selected group Exhibitions.
2009 May – June, Selected artists, Dickerson Gallery, Sydney
2008 Small gems, Metro Gallery, Melbourne.
2007 Small gems, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne.
2000 Square, Gallery 101, Melbourne, Melbourne.
2000 Melbourne Art Fair 2000, Royal Exhibition Building Carlton
1999 Panorama, Six emerging Melbourne artists, Gallery 101, Melbourne.
1999, Review- Curators choice, gallery 101, Melbourne.
1998 Impact- art for a world Identity, Monash University Gallery, Melbourne.
1998 Where are we now, Gallery 5, Melbourne.
Awards Continued.
2005 Finalist for Metro 5 Award.
2002 Finalist for City of Hobart Art Prize.
1998 Winner National Gallery of Victoria Trustees award.
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996- Shortlisted for Lucato Prize, Monash University.
1996 Awarded most prominent first year painter, Monash University.
Commissions
2003 Goldman & Sachs, London.
2002- 2009 Private commissions in London, New York, Melbourne and Sydney.
Collections
Publications/Reviews.
2009 Sunday Arts feature, ABC TV. 31st May 2009.
2009 Artwork featured, Art and Australia, Online Gallery.
2009 Artwork featured in NGV Gallery Magazine.
2009 Feature, Australian Financial review.
2009 Interview- Art in the real world. http://intherealartworld.blogspot.com
2009 Article, MX Newspaper, 12th may.
2008 Radio interview- ABC 774 The conversation hour.
2008 William Jackson, On venturing to find a fit, Diamond Valley Leader, 18th June.
2008 Artwork featured in NGV Gallery magazine
2006 Jeff Makin, Critics Choice, The Herald Sun, 21 June, 2006.
2005 Full page Artwork featured on page 3, The Age, 10 February, 2005.
2002, Radio Interview, RRR.
2002, Holly Evans, Domain Diary, The Age, 10 April, p 2.
2002, Alyce Zydower, Investing in Art, The Age, 22 April, pg 14.
2000 Melbourne Art Fair 2000, Exhibition Catalogue, pp64-5
2000 Artwork pictured in The Age, Entertainment Guide, 31 March.
2000 Jeff Makin, Critics Choice, The Herald Sun, 10 April, p 103.
2000 Robert Nelson, There’s an art to feelings of dislocation, The Age, Today Review, 12 April, p7.