“THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING [PAPER ASSEMBLAGES] DOVETAILED FOR ME WITH THE BAHÁ’I ‘UNITY IN DIVERSITY’ IDEAL BECAUSE ONE USES MANY PARTS TO BUILD A WHOLE WORK.”
Mike Solomon is an interdisciplinary artist known for his multifaceted approach to art, incorporating a range of materials including colored pencils, watercolor-tinted papers, beeswax, resin, and Mylar. His work spans multi-media paintings, sculpture, installations, and photographs, characterized by a layering technique that produces ethereal forms. Influenced by Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism, Solomon's art reflects his belief in "unity in diversity," a principle of the Bahá’i Faith, exploring the spiritual dimensions of nature through complex and cohesive compositions.
Born in 1956, Solomon grew up between Sarasota, Florida, and East Hampton, immersed in a vibrant artistic community. His early exposure to artists and art practices, including the influence of his Abstract Expressionist father, Syd Solomon, and prominent contemporaries like Philip Guston and Willem de Kooning, shaped his artistic development. Solomon's engagement with Bahá’i philosophy and his education at institutions such as Skowhegan School of Sculpture and Painting and the University of California, Santa Barbara, further refined his artistic vision.
Solomon's career includes solo and group exhibitions in notable venues such as The Heckscher Museum, the Parrish Art Museum, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. His innovative use of materials has garnered critical acclaim, with his work described as a blend of artistic process and spiritual exploration. Solomon's art is held in private and public collections, including the Columbia Museum of Art and the Greenville County Museum of Art. His recent works continue to explore themes of nature, spirituality, and human experience.